Hrant Shahinyan

Hrant Schahinjan ( Armenian " Հրանտ ՇաՀինյան "; born July 30, 1923 in Gjulagarak, Lori province; † 29 May 1998 in Yerevan ) was a Soviet gymnast Armenian origin.

Hrant Schahinjan had after the Second World War, first a wound on his leg overcome before he could start training again. In 1952 he took part in the Summer Olympic Games in part in the Finnish capital Helsinki, where he succeeded in winning two gold medals in gymnastics rings and in the team all-around and two silver medals on pommel horse and in the individual all-around. Two years later, in Rome in 1954, he was part of the Soviet team at the World Championships in Artistic Gymnastics. There he won gold in the team all-around, repeating the success of Helsinki. In addition, he was able to secure the first place in the competition on pommel horse and a bronze medal in the individual all-around.

Although Hrant Schahinjan competed for the Soviet Union, where he among other things, the honorary title " Honored Master of Sports " was given, it applies since the independence of Armenia was the first Olympic champion in the sports history of the country. On his initiative was founded in 1958 in Yerevan, a sports performance school for gymnastics, which he directed until his death, and which bears his name since his death. The Armenian National Olympic Committee awards since 2005, Hrant Schahinjan Medal to deserving athletes and sports officials in the country.