On September 12 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, received the athletes of the Armenian Karate National team led by Mr. Grigor Mkiaelyan, Chairman of the Federation and Pargev Archbishop Martirosian, head of the Artsakh diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Mr. Tigran Torosyan, NA President, congratulated the athletes of the national team, expressing satisfaction that there are athletes of different ages, which is a good pledge of the continuity of the victories. Mr. Torosyan underscored the girls’ presence in the team and their victories, as the healthy and strong girls are the basis of strong family and healthy people. As the Parliament President assessed, the continuous fourth victory of the Karate National team testifies that the Armenian athletes have not only wonderful sport skill, but also strong spirit because only strong spirit makes the victory possible in unpredictable situations. Mr. Torosyan expressed his gratitude Pargev Archbishop Martirosian, head of the Artsakh diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, that for years, being with the team, inspiring and leading to new victories, he became a participant of sport victories.
Mr. Grigor Mikayelyan, Chairman of the Armenian Karate Federation, informed the NA President that on August 24-26 the national team, participating at the 13th Karate World Cup in Buenos Aires with strong competitors, could win the Cup, celebrating victories also at individual sport and bringing to Armenia 15 gold, 8 silver and 3 bronze medals. Being admired for the Armenian athletes’ success, the Karate International federation decided to have the next World Cup first time in Armenia in 2009 with the participation of the national teams of 55 countries. Today there are karate clubs in all the regions of the republic, where 10000 athletes improve their skills, as Mr. Mikaelyan assessed, not all of them will choose sport career, but the physical conditioning make them defenders of motherland. There is a good sport school of karate in Artsakh too, and the successes of Artsakh karate athletes are not far in the international competitions too. One of the karate principles is: “As high is the conscience, as high is the skill,” being led by this principle the Armenian athletes win their competitors. Mr. Mikaelyan said that for many years karate competitions were organized with the title “The glory of Armenia,” the winners of which were awarded the medals of well-known Armenian kings and prizes. He gave as a present Tigran Mets/the Great king’s memorial medal and the small statue to the NA President, expressing conviction that Tigran the Great will be his companion in his complicated and responsible work. Mr. Mikaelyan noted that after the first success, in 2000, Mr. Andranik Margaryan, RA Prime Minister received and congratulated them, and in 2007, thanks to him the Karate International Federation got state support for the first time.
Talking about the World Cup held in Argentina, Pargev Archbishop Martirosian, head of the Artsakh diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church said that the Argentinian Armenian community celebrated the 
Armenian athletes’ victory with great enthusiasm, inspiring their compatriots with their presence during the competitions. The victory of the national team became a factor consolidation for the Argentinian Armenians.
Mr. Torosyan once again highlighted the sport victories also in the context of political victories and making Armenia well known with its achievements, sport, culture. He expressed willingness for new meetings and support if necessary. The NA President especially emphasized the preparation for 2009 World Cup in Armenia in the best way, and of course, winning again. Mr. Torosyan handed over to the athletes of the Armenian Karate National team a Certificate of Merit of the National Assembly for their victories, expressing conviction that he would have an occasion later to congratulate individually for sport successes.
