Armenian Athletes Secure 8 Medals at Russian Swimming Open

The three young athletes representing Armenia competed brilliantly in the 2010 Swimming Open for athletes with musculoskeletal issues held from Apr. 4–10 in the Russian city of Dzerzhinsk, which ended yesterday.

Artak Davtyan, 13, a swimmer with the Armenian National Disabled Sports Federation, competed in the 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke and won two silver medals.

Margarita Hovakimyan, 15, and Avag Tonoyan, 15, competed in four tournaments: the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle, and the 100m breaststroke.

Tonoyan fulfilled the Russian Federation first grade sport qualification, while Hovakimyan picked up 6 medals: 1 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze, as well as fulfilling the Candidate for Master of Sport in Russia.

As a result of the athletes’ successes in this tournament, they will be able to apply and participate in the (International Paralympic Committee) IPC Swimming European Championships to be held in Berlin in July 2011.