Artur Davtyan: I will try to make my jumps more complicated before Olympics

By Lusine Shahbazyan

It's hard to maintain a high bar of the winner. During competitions, coaches from other countries approach, say: "Will you win again?" I will try to make my jumps more complicated before the Olympic Games. If it doesn't work out, I will participate in Paris with these same jumps. Artur Davtyan, bronze medalist of the Tokyo Olympic Games, world champion, two-time European champion, two-time World Cup winner, and winner of the European Games, told this to a press conference Thursday.

Armenia's leading gymnast has already won two gold medals in the World Cup rounds in the Olympic year. Artur Davtyan, who has qualified for the Paris Olympics this summer, is preparing for his fourth Olympic Games. At the same time, he is participating in important tournaments—he will also participate in the Armenian Championship—with his team.

“It's very difficult to maintain a high bar. After last year's World Championship, I had a leg and then a back injury. I was in treatment for a long time before the World Cup rounds. I started getting in shape late at the meets. I won the tournament in Egypt, but I was not satisfied with my results. [But] nothing was stopping me in Germany, I had no pain, and I was able to win here as well.

This year's World Cup stages are very difficult, the competition is high. For example, in my exercise, the champion of the Tokyo Olympic Games did not make it to the finals in two rounds.

Victory does not come easily. During competitions, coaches from other countries approach, say: ‘Will you win again?’ In our exercise [i.e. the Vault], you have two attempts, both of which you must perform perfectly. You have to beat yourself to be the first. It all depends on the first jump. In the World Championship, I performed my first jump poorly, the second one—flawlessly, but I didn't win, I didn't get a place.

I already have the Olympic qualification. After these important tournaments, we will start preparing for Paris 2024 itself.
We have already treated my back injury. I have no problem at the moment. I cannot say what will happen in Paris; it’s a sport. I will try to avoid injuries. I was treated for about two months. I will try to make one of my jumps a little more complicated before the Olympic Games. If it doesn't work out, I will participate with the same jumps.

Before the Olympic Games, I will participate in the Armenian Championship in March, then the fourth round of the World Cup, from there I will go with the team to Italy for the European Championship, we will return and start preparing for the Olympic Games.

The important thing is not to get injured, the rest is in our hands. We have to train, suffer, do everything to keep the honor of our country high in every tournament," said Artur Davtyan.

The world and European champion had qualified for the Paris Olympic Games during the all-around competition at the 2023 World Championship.

Follow NEWS.am SPORT on Facebook, Twitter and Telegram