Armenia Announces Results of the “Best in Sports 2025” Competition

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia has summarized the results of the annual competition “Selection of the Best in Sports of the Year.” The winners of 2025 were determined through a closed and secret ballot conducted among accredited sports journalists. The results were consolidated by a special commission established by ministerial order.

The voting process was overseen by Deputy Minister Asmik Avagyan. Addressing journalists, she thanked them for their active participation and emphasized the importance of the competition for the development of sports in Armenia. According to her, sports journalists are given the opportunity to recognize athletes who represented Armenia with distinction on the international stage in 2025, achieved outstanding results, and contributed to strengthening the country’s image. The deputy minister also expressed appreciation to athletes who did not make this year’s list, noting that their efforts and contributions are consistently valued by the state.

The most prestigious award — “Three Best Athletes of the Year” — was presented to medalists of the 2024 Olympic Games who managed to surpass their own achievements in 2025. Weightlifter Varazdat Lalayan and Greco-Roman wrestler Malkhas Amoyan became world and European champions, confirming their leadership in their respective sports.

Gymnast Artur Davtyan enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career, winning the European Championship, securing a World Cup title, and earning a silver medal at the World Championships.

The title of Best Female Athlete of 2025 was awarded to 20-year-old weightlifter Alexandra Grigoryan. Despite missing the senior World Championships, she delivered outstanding performances at the youth level, becoming European U23 champion, winning bronze at the Youth World Championships, and silver at the Senior European Championships.

The Best Team of the Year was named the Armenian national futsal team, which qualified for the European Championship (EURO 2026) for the first time in history. The Armenian ice hockey team and FC Noah were also considered, but the futsal team’s achievement was deemed the most significant.

The Best Young Athlete award went to 20-year-old Greco-Roman wrestler Gaspar Terteryan. In 2025, he won the U20 World Championship, claimed silver at the U20 European Championship, placed fifth at the U23 World Championship, and won the Armenian senior national championship, paving his way into the senior national team.

The “Breakthrough of the Year” and “People’s Choice Award” were both won by karateka Suren Harutyunyan. He earned a bronze medal at the WKF Karate World Championships, bringing Armenia its first-ever world championship medal in karate.

Special recognition was awarded to 18-year-old gymnast Hamlet Manukyan, who received the title “Athlete Who Most Glorified Armenia on the International Stage.” In 2025, he made his senior debut, became European champion, won a World Cup stage on the pommel horse, claimed gold at the Summer Universiade, and made history by having a new element on the pommel horse named after him.

The importance of the “Best Athlete with a Disability” category was highlighted separately, as it was included in the program for the second consecutive year. According to Hakob Abrahamyan, Chairman of the Armenian National Paralympic Committee, this allows proper recognition of athletes with disabilities and their contribution to sports development.

Results of the “Best in Sports 2025” Awards

Three Best Athletes of the Year

• Varazdat Lalayan (Weightlifting)

• Artur Davtyan (Artistic Gymnastics)

• Malkhas Amoyan (Greco-Roman Wrestling)

Best Female Athlete — Alexandra Grigoryan (Weightlifting)
Best Athlete with a Disability — Sargis Sargsyan (Chess)
Best Team — Armenia National Futsal Team
Best Young Athlete — Gaspar Terteryan (Greco-Roman Wrestling)
Breakthrough / Comeback of the Year — Suren Harutyunyan (Karate)
Athlete Who Most Glorified Armenia — Hamlet Manukyan (Artistic Gymnastics)
Best Coach — Pashik Alaverdyan (Weightlifting)
People’s Choice Award — Suren Harutyunyan (Karate)

The main goal of the competition is to encourage and honor athletes and coaches who achieved significant success throughout the year, contributed to enhancing Armenia’s international recognition, and promoted national values and state symbols through sports. All winners will receive monetary prizes.