Grigori Hajyan from the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh), who captured first place in an international wushu tournament, devoted his victory to his father who had died during the four-day war which Azerbaijan unleashed in early April.
“I dedicate this victory of mine to the bright memory of my father, who fell during the defense of Artsakh,” Grigori said, according to Artsakhpress news agency. “I want to become world champion—and I will—, so I can wave Artsakh’s triumphant flag everywhere.”
Grigori’s father, Norayr Hajyan, had fallen in the early morning hours on April 5, during the self-defense battle in NKR Talish village.
National teams from Armenia, NKR, Georgia, and Iran competed in the aforementioned tournament, which was held in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan.