USA Women's Gymnastics Coach Artur Akopyan

One of the American Olympic gymnasts - McKayla Maroney - is coached by Artur Akopyan. The below excerpt comes courtesy of one our followers, to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude for this timely contribution:

 

McKayla is one of the 5 members of the team that is favored to win the team gold. The U.S. team (of which McKayla was a member) won the 2011 world championships as a team, so they are the reigning world champions going into the Olympics. More importantly for McKayla (and Artur) is that McKayla is the reigning individual world champion on vault and is also favored to win an individual gold medal on vault at these Olympics. He has therefore coached her to a team gold (where each gymnast has her own coach) and an individual vault gold, both at the 2011 world championships. Also, she is favored to win team gold (again, every gymnast has her own coach) and an individual vault gold during these Olympics. The team competes on Tuesday, and the vault event final is on Sunday.

 

If you'd like to read further about McKayla, please follow these two links: 

McKayla Maroney

 

McKayla Maroney Profile

As for Artur Akopyan, he qualified for the 1980 and 1984 Olympics as a member of Team USSR, but was unable to compete in either for reasons he details in the video attached to the right. Akopyan has coached the other U.S. National team members for years, and now runs his own gym.

 

Akopyan Video

 

 

Akopyan's Gym

NBC: Nothing But Crappy Olympic Coverage

     Armenia gets very few chances at shining under the international limelight. This is why many of us anxiously, patiently wait every other year for the Summer and Winter Olympics for that special moment when Armenia is introduced for the world to see. Normally, this proud moment is a goose bump-filled, tears-of-joy moment of pride.

     This year's incompetent coverage by NBC has left us all wanting something more, however. After introducing Armenia, NBC's inept announcer (Bob Costas) simply said "Armenia..." ... and paused. Now I do know they did very brief recaps of countries they had missed during commercial breaks, and I did hear him whine that they have never seen the countries introduced so quickly. But, honestly, are you kidding!?! This is what contingency plans are for! From General Electric (NBC's parent company), to Jeff Zucker, all the way down to this useless announcer, everyone has to be held accountable. You mean to tell me not one of them planned a word or two for each country in the four years they have had (not to mention endless millions of dollars) getting ready for the Olympics? Shame on you NBC!

     For anyone who may believe I am over-reacting, then surely the newly-formed Facebook page "NBC Sucks" and its 5,931 members justifies my reaction. In the mean time, Bob Costas, you fool, why don't you read this link and educate yourself...

Armenia 

BREAKING NEWS: Arsen Galstyan Wins Gold!!!

Armenian judoka Arsen Galstyan of Russia (previous world ranking #5) just beat heavily favored Rishod Sobirov of Uzbekistan in the Gold Medal match. Although he is not representing Armenia, he is the first Armenian medal winner. Bravo Arsen!
Read the article:

 Galstyan Celebrates title success

Team Armenia: Opening Ceremonies

Our heroes were just introduced just moments ago during the opening ceremony parade in London! Here is a still photo with our vibrant tricolors radiating for the whole world to see.

Diasporan Armenian Olympians

The countdown is on, the tension is rising! We are just a few hours away from the Opening Ceremonies, and our athletes have just touched down in London. As we continue to highlight Diasporan Armenians competing under various flags of the world, here is an updated list to keep on your radars!

Misha Aloian (Russia/Boxing) (pictured below);
Gabriel Melconian Alvez (Uruguay/Swimming);
David Ayrapetyan (Russia/Boxing);
Artur Ayvazyan (Ukraine/Shooting);
Arsen Galstyan (Russia/Judo);
Vazgen Safaryants (Belarus/Boxing);



All contributions we missed are welcome - please post them as comments, below!

USA Womens Water Polo Coach Adam Krikorian

Just as in every Olympics, there will Armenians from throughout the Diaspora participating from numerous countries. We will be highlighting such individuals in the weeks to come. One example is Adam Krikorian, who hails from the Northern California city of Mountain View, California. He has been a water polo coach at UCLA since 1996, and the head women's water polo coach since 1997. He became head coach of Team U.S.A. Women's Water Polo in 2009. Let's keep an eye on him as his team marches towards gold in London!

Here's an article about him:

U.S.A. Women's Water Polo London 2012

NBA: OKC Thunder's Rex Kalamian

Following in the footsteps of legendary Armenian American NBA coaches such as Jerry Tarkanian, Kalamian hails from Southern California and graduated from Cal Poly Pamona in 1993. He joined Oklahoma City Thunder Coach Scott Brooks' staff in 2009 following short stints with various teams (Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers). Previously, he worked with the L.A. Clippers in various capacities, including an assistant coached, for 9 years.

Check out his profile:

Rex Kalamian Profile

Profiling Our Olympians

PanArmenian.net just put up this amazing photo spread introducing our Olympians:

Olympian Pictures

Team Armenia Olympic Uniforms

Just browsed the web for updates on our Olympians, with the opening ceremony just 5 days away. Low-and-behold, here is what our heroes' threads will look like. Anyone confused? What is this, team Poland? Did they forget the blue and orange? Or am I just  over-reacting? Thoughts, anyone?

Anyways, check out this article:

Armenian Olympic Uniforms

Basketball: Armenian National Basketball Team Announcement

It seems that Armenia's National Basketball program is tackling its heretofore post-independence futility and irrelevance head on. Recently, they made the exciting announcement that they are redirecting their program in an entirely new direction, naming an Armenian American as head coach and opening the doors for Diasporan Armenians to join the team. Go Team Armenia!!!

Bardakian Named Head Coach

Rising Soccer Star: Joaquin Boghossian

Heard about Joaquin Boghossian from Uruguay some time back (thanks to my brother) - hopefully he'll be on the world stage in Brazil if Uruguay qualifies in 2014!

Player Profile: Joaquin Boghossian

Tennis: Nalbandian blunder

Guarantee you David Nalbandian wishes he could undo this. Let's hope this is NOT what his career is defined by. Nalbandian got disqualified from playing at the 2012 Champions Final of the Queens Cup because he kicked the line judge.
Watch!

Armenian NFL player

 There's an Armenian in the NFL? Who knew?

Jeff Tarpinian 

http://www.patriots.com/team/roster/Jeff-Tarpinian/5b7601ef-9007-4047-b614-0cb2e090821c

Boxing: Arthur Abraham

Arthur Abraham announces new fight. Go Arthur!

http://www.boxingscene.com/scott-harrison-abraham-vs-stieglitz-more-on-boxnation--54102

Armenian 2012 Olympians

 

What better way to start my blog, than to honor our 25 athletes who will be representing us in London.

Here is the link that just went public on www.london2012.com.

Enjoy, and good luck to our heroes!http://www.london2012.com/athletes/country=armenia/index.htmx

Unfortunately, one of our female gold medal hopefuls has just torn her ACL.