Greta Vardanyan

Greta Vardanyan (born February 20, 1986) is an Armenian powerlifter and Para-alpine skier. She has competed on four occasions for Armenia at the Paralympic Games, one Winter and three Summer. Vardanyan was the flag bearer on each occasion when she attended a Summer Games.

Greta Vardanyan
Personal information
Birth nameGreta Khndzrtsyan
National teamArmenia
Born (1986-02-20) February 20, 1986
Alma materArmenian State Pedagogical University
OccupationPsychologist
Sport
CountryArmenia
SportPowerlifting
DisabilityAbove knee amputation on both legs
Weight class55 kg
LeagueWorld Para Powerlifting World Cup
Coached bySamson Khachatryan

Early life

Greta Vardanyan (née Khndzrtsyan) was born on February 20, 1986.[1] When she was two, she was injured in the 1988 Armenian earthquake.[2] As a result, both her legs were amputated above the knee.[3] Vardanyan's parents and siblings died due to injuries sustained in the earthquake.[4]

Sporting career

Para-alpine skiing

Vardanyan started to compete in sports in 1993, initially in para-alpine skiing. She was spotted, and between 2002 and 2005 she took part competitively in the United States.[5] Still using her maiden name, she was one of two athletes competing for Armenia at the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin, Italy.[6] Vardanyan took part in the women's sitting giant slalom, finishing with an overall time of 3:43.29 in 11th position.[7]

Weightlifting

She began competing in weightlifting professionally in 2005, and took part in her first international competition two years later,[1] when at the European Open Championships in Greece, she placed second in her weight class and won a silver medal.[4] Her first Summer Paralympics came in Beijing, China, in 2008. She was selected to be the flag bearer for Armenia during the Parade of Nations in the opening ceremony.[8] Vardanyan did not place in the women's 48 kg weight class after failing to lift 80 kilograms (180 lb) on three occasions.[9]

In 2012, she was chosen as part of a female only team, alongside swimmer Maga Hovakimyan, for Armenia to compete in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, England.[2] For the second time, she was selected as the flag bearer for Armenia at the Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony.[10] Vardanyan finished outside of the medal positions, having lifted a weight of 82 kilograms (181 lb) in the Women's 48 kg competition.[11]

Vardanyan was once again selected to compete for Armenia at the 2016 Summer Paralympics, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As with the previous two games, she was chosen as her nation's flag bearer in the Parade of Nations.[12] She finished in fifth place in her weight class, her heaviest lift being 96 kilograms (212 lb) out of her three successful attempts.[13]

Vardanyan finished in second place at the opening event of the World Para Powerlifting World Cup in 2017, held in Eger, Hungary. Taking part in the 55 kg class, she lifted 85 kilograms (187 lb), only beaten by Chile's Camila Campos with a lift of 92 kilograms (203 lb).[14]

Personal life

Vardanyan is married and has a daughter.[1] She lives in Gyumri, Shirak Province, with her family.[4] Outside of sports, she is a psychologist, having studied at the Armenian State Pedagogical University[5]

References
  1. "London Paralympics 2012: Armenian athletes – Greta Vardanyan (PHOTOS)". News.am. August 24, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  2. Aghanjanian, Liana (August 31, 2012). "Armenia's All-Female Team at 2012 Paralympics". ianyan. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  3. "Athlete Bio". Paralympic.org. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  4. "Student Council-Pyunik: New Format of Cooperation". YSU News. January 18, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  5. ""I am simply a European vice champion"". Erit.am. January 19, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  6. "The Armenian National Team of Paralympic Games Leaves for Torino". National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. March 3, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  7. "Results Day 9 – March 19". CBC.ca. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  8. "Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony - Flagbearers List" (PDF). Paralympic.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 9, 2008.
  9. "Powerlifting Women's 48 kg" (PDF). Beijing 2008. September 10, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  10. "List of Opening Ceremony flag bearers". Paralympic.org. August 29, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  11. "Paralympic Games: Greta Vardanyan didn't win medal". Lurer.com. September 1, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  12. "Greta Vardanyan is Armenia's flag bearer at Rio Paralympics". MediaMax Sport. September 8, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  13. "Greta Vardanyan took the 5th place at the Summer Paralympic Games". Republic of Armenia Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs. September 14, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  14. "Tunkel victorious at home powerlifting World Cup". Paralympic.org. May 4, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
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