Wrestling in Armenia

Wrestling (Armenian: ըմբշամարտ, pronounced [əmbʃɑmɑɾt]) has deep historical roots in Armenia.

It was recorded that King Tiridates III of Armenia won the Ancient Olympic Games in wrestling in 281 AD.

Over half of the fifteen Armenian Olympic medalists and the two gold medal winners have been wrestlers.

In Shirak Kokh, wrestlers wear shalvar pants and are topless and were allowed to grab the legs of the opponent.

In Lori Kokh, they wear chokha (traditional Caucasian costume) and have to grab the opponent's dress to throw or push them out.

[7] Sports in general and wrestling, particularly, became popular in Armenia in the 1920s and 1930s, but it wasn't until the end of the World War II, when Armenian and Soviet athletes started to appear on international competitions.