YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Youth Judo Championship will be held at Yerevan's Sport and Concert Complex on September 11-13. Earlier, on August 20 the RA Judo Federation gave a press conference in this connection. RA Deputy Minister of Sport Samvel Khachatrain told reporters that 40 countries have submitted bids for participation, which is a record number in the history of European youth championships. President of the RA Judo Federation Alexan Avetisian said that the teams of Albania, Ireland and Wales will participate in the European championship for the first time. Azerbaijan has also submitted a bid for participation. The names of all Azerbaijani judo wrestlers to compete in 8 weight classes are known. A. Avetisian said that Armenia is ready to ensure security of judoists from Azerbaijan and the other countries. The number of judoists exceeds 200, and they will be accompanied by coaches, referees and other members of their delegations. RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is the chairman of the governmental organizing committee. Judo started to gain popularity in Armenia in 1992 when Alexan Avetisian was elected president of the RA Judo Federation. Thanks to his efforts the Under-23 Judo Championship held in Yerevan in 2003 was a success, with Armenian judoists winning one gold, one silver and 5 bronze medals.

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