Armine Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,4850...5033197,00.html Karapetyan lifts one for the ages By Amy DonaldsonDeseret News sports writer MURRAY— Instead of trying to relax and have a good time, Sarkis Karapetyan closes his eyes and envisions thousands of his countrymen being slaughtered. Chad Drecksel of Salt Lake City watches Bryant Watson, 15, perform a bench press during power lifting competition on Saturday at the Murray Boys and Girls Club. Nick Short, Deseret News Then he walks to the mat listening to the voice of one of his coaches, West High health and weight training teacher Chad Drecksel. He chalks up his small hands and breathes so deep it's audible across the noisy gymnasium. He looks straight ahead as he lines up with the barbell and then he bends over and hoists 286.6 pounds into the air. The crowd erupts in cheers and after he sets the weight down, he embraces Drecksel who lifts him into the air. He smiles while his coach fights back tears. The feat is phenomenal for many reasons but especially considering Karapetyan's weight — 104 pounds — and his age — 14. The West High freshman set a new world record in his weight and age division for the dead lift Saturday in the WABDL Twinlab National High School and Law/Fire Bench Press and Dead Lift championships held at the Murray Boys and Girls Club. It is the only local competition offered for teens involved in the obscure but growing sport of power lifting. "It is a great moment," said the Armenian native. "It's what I've been working for the last eight months." As he prepares to lift double and triple his weight in the dead lift, Karapetyan's strategy is to make himself mad. "In 1915 the Turks killed 1.5 million Armenians," he said. "I think about that. I think about how they denied it was an act of genocide. Then I'm angry." Karapetyan actually made his way to the West High weight room eight months ago hoping to build a little muscle so he could try out for the wrestling team. "Coach Tuffy (Watson) saw me in there and told me, "You come train with us, and I'll make you into a champion,' " Karapetyan recalled. "I didn't believe him, but I started lifting with them anyway. Coach Drecksel and Tuffy are the two biggest influences in my life, and I want to thank them." Hyrum Marchant, 13, looks at his father, Dave, prior to bench pressing at the power lifting tourney. Nick Short, Deseret News Karapetyan said the coaches offer him encouragement, advice, rides and an occasional meal. The two men have recruited about 12 West High students to form a school power lifting team. The school gives them a facility to work out and pays their entry fees. The athletes and their coaches raise money for anything else they need, usually with events like car washes. Each teen must buy a suit to wear in competition that costs between $75 and $200, among other things, and all come from families of modest to low incomes, Watson said. In some cases, the teens share equipment and clothing. They're currently trying to earn enough money to travel to Las Vegas next December for the World Championships. Since the program started more than a year ago, they've held their own competitions, and although they invite other schools and any other teen, so far none has accepted. That doesn't matter to Watson and Drecksel who said they started the after-school weight-lifting program to give the teens something constructive to do. "These kids have an average GPA of 3.5, and a lot are in honors classes," Watson said. "These aren't your average kids. A lot of kids come out but they quit. This takes a lot of heart, and a lot of work. (Success) doesn't happen over night." Interestingly, only two of the school's power lifting team members play other sports, including Drecksel's son Tatum, who is a football player. The others, including three girls, call power lifting their only athletic endeavor. "My parents thought I was crazy," said senior Madison Klint. "Now they think it's cool. Today I kept breaking my own state record, and it's so cool because I probably wouldn't be able to do that in anything else." Participants at the power lifting competition are sure to chalk up before competing. Nick Short, Deseret News Accomplishing a goal and the pride of winning are just two of the things Drecksel said the students take from the weight room. "How many people can say they've set a world record," he said choking back emotion as he talks about Karapetyan's new record and the effort that went into it. "I tell the kids that whatever they put into this, that's what they'll get out of it . . . It's just you and no one else. No excuses." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If anyone would like to see the entire article please refer tohttp://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,4850...5033197,00.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 MURRAY— Instead of trying to relax and have a good time, Sarkis Karapetyan closes his eyes and envisions thousands of his countrymen being slaughtered. What a pathetic thing ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 MURRAY— Instead of trying to relax and have a good time, Sarkis Karapetyan closes his eyes and envisions thousands of his countrymen being slaughtered. What a pathetic thing ... I agree MJ. Only a stupid Armenian would write something stupid like that about another Armenian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 Only a stupid Armenian would write something stupid like that about another Armenian. Well......if envisioning a genocide motivates Sarkis to better results and achievements, I dont see anything wrong with that, all power to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 MURRAY— Instead of trying to relax and have a good time, Sarkis Karapetyan closes his eyes and envisions thousands of his countrymen being slaughtered. What a pathetic thing ... I agree MJ. Only a stupid Armenian would write something stupid like that about another Armenian. It just comes to show how perverted the Armenian psyche has become as a result of the decades of the erection of the Pathetic and Masochistic Victimdome by the Armenian mass Culture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vava Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 It just comes to show how perverted the Armenian psyche has become as a result of the decades of the erection of the Pathetic and Masochistic Victimdome by the Armenian mass Culture. While I agree almost entirely with your statement, and its implications, I also believe that this kid is merely reaching for some sort of inspiration/motivation in order to help him put forth his best effort in athletic competition. Atheletes commonly visualise all sorts of things to aid concentration, focus etc. Besides, he's only 14... let's not be so harsh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 Atheletes commonly visualise all sorts of things to aid concentration, focus etc. Besides, he's only 14... let's not be so harsh Vava, My quarel is not with a 14 years old boy. It is with those who have cultivated for decades and continue doing so, the refernced above mass psychosys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sako_Aper Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 I am Sarkis Karapetyan, I accidently found this to my surprise. What did I say wrong, I was letting people know about the Armenian Genocide. What I meant when I told the reporter that I envision the Armenian Genocide is that the anger I have in me to go and pull the weight. 2 months after that, I broke another world record, same weight category of 330 pounds. Everyone was amazed, president of the federation said your record's going to be up there for a long time, especially since it's higher than the above weight class's. Now it hurts my feelings that other Armenians are saying I did something wrong of saying this, what did I do wrong. People at school were saying I did something wrong, maybe a Turk might see it, and purposely come and do something to me because I said that, and letting people know what happened to us Armenians. I'm 15 now, and someone said he's only 14, don't be too harsh? Too harsh about what, what did I do wrong, what did I say wrong??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sako_Aper Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 Oh yes, thank you very much for hurting my feelings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 Dear Sako, The wrong that is done is not done by you. It is done to you. Under proper guidance, at your age of 14 (or 15) you should have not even known anything about the Genocide. Time would’ve come and you would’ve known about it and that in a proper manner. At that time, the anger might’ve subsided and you might’ve felt more proud for your nation’s ability to survive and to reinvent herself. Anger is not healthy, especially when it becomes part of who you are. It is just my wish (and I know many who would join me in wishing so) that next time you are about to lift the weight, you close your eyes and see your beautiful people, you see Mt. Ararat, you see the churches of Ani or the temple in Garni, or you see the monument of Sasuntsi David and you hear the music of Aram Khachatryan. And then you feel yourself part of all that and you make your spirit join with the spirit of all these people who have created these precious values on behalf of our nation and brought us here – to this age and this stage. And be assured that I am one of those who will always feel pride for your achievements and will always wish more of them in your promising future to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOTH Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 MJ - I understand here your orignal cristism was coming from - and your recent explanation...still - in a sense it is unrealistic. Young Armenians will know of the Genocide (though not necessarily to hate per se...but anger certainly...)...and you must understand it is certainly a (recent) event that affects and has shaped us all. (And please he is gearing up for extreme effort - pastoral scenes, thinking of art,culture, great achievaments etc and such just isn't going to cut it - one can see where anger over lost kin could give one a boost - so please try to take it as it was intended). And Sarkis - congratualtions on your achievement - good for you...and good for us... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nairi Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 The wrong that is done is not done by you. It is done to you. Under proper guidance, at your age of 14 (or 15) you should have not even known anything about the Genocide. MJ, while I agree with your first statement, I can't help but disagree with the second one. The genocide is part of our history in the same way that our churches and epic legends are. I don't think 14/15 is too young to be introduced to this history. Perhaps the way it is introduced or taught could be changed, but not the fact that it is taught. Sako jan, you have the right to feel whatever it is you want to feel concerning our history, including the genocide. You also have the right to change these feelings over time, which you probably will. There's nothing wrong with that. I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors and hope to see you drop by this site more often! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 Sako, I stand by what I said. My initial reaction was that the article was written by an Armenian or an older person had given you the hint to make a comment like the above. But even if it was neither and that you came up with it, I still think it is an inappropriate comment. By the way, that does not mean you do not have my support. I wish you the best of luck in your sport and wish you great success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vava Posted September 5, 2003 Report Share Posted September 5, 2003 Sarkis Jan, Don't misunderstand the comments above. It is merely commentary on our culture that the AG has become an all-consuming thought - even for young atheletes like yourself. If this inspires you (positively) to excel then fine - but if this breeds hate in your young soul, then you should re-evaluate what you've been taught. Just know one thing - you will always find support in other Armenians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hakop Posted September 5, 2003 Report Share Posted September 5, 2003 (edited) Read MJ and Azat and everyone else I am Hakop Karapetyan, Sarkis is my little brother we are 1 year apart and i do not see anything wrong with wahthe said in the article the article giver was a white lady who didn't even know what an Armenian is we live in Utah no one knows what an Armenian is. The reason he said what he did was to try to get recignition for the Armenians which we diserve the way he said it shows his feelings toward it so there is noting wrong with that him and I learned about the Armenian Genoicde on our own no on has thought us about it we have researched it and read books on it under stand it in our own way which we belive is right. The Armenian Genocide must be remembred just thinking about he good things of Armenia isnt going to get it recignised it is only going to have it forgoten in our own race an culture everyone must leanr and remeber the Armenian genocide not put it apart as if it never happened and ignore it just because it would be better that way but it musnt be. By the way thinking about good things of armenia wont let you lift better thinking about what had haappened and how it makes you angry will because angenrelin gives people strenght. so MJ you shouldnt say whathe did was wrong because it wasn't. And you Asume too much that is not good not good at all ashumsones wont get you anywhere. You should think thruough all your thoughts over again MJ you have to know that you may be wrong after all he only wants to inform people about the Armenian Race and the Armenian Genocide you dont know how it is in Utah when you say your Armenian and tehy say "what the hell is that" And Azat i dont think you understand what he ment by what he told the reporter if anything you are the stupid Armenian that wouldnt want people to know what happened to your ansestors Sarkis also has made a site about 2 years ago about teh Armenian Genocide trying to do his part to inform the world..... http://armeniangenocide.cjb.net/ turkes have infected the fourm of his site with their bull Edited September 5, 2003 by Hakop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted September 5, 2003 Report Share Posted September 5, 2003 You are right Hakop, at my age I have realized that I do not know much about the Genocide to make comments about it in-front of others, but when I was young and dumb I use to tell everyone about it. Just when I grew up I realized that my knowledge is too little on the subject to comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightOfArmenia Posted September 5, 2003 Report Share Posted September 5, 2003 I find it unbelievable that people are being scolded because they not only know about the Genocide, and that they try to inform the world of it, but that they actually feel something about it. Ignore them, Sarkis; we need more proactive ones like you, and, in fact, more Armenian youths that care about the past and feel that an integral part of themselves were killed. The memory of the numerous Armenians murdered, flung into rivers or caves or buried under the desert sands, should create a feeling of anger in all of us. Despair is the feeling of a victim; anger is the feeling of a well-aware adult. I feel the same way when I think of all the families that were wiped out, all the homes that are now populated with vermin; I am enraged when I see the crescent moon polluting the air around Ararat, that Haik Nahapet rests beneath a foreign flag. You are doing a great job, and you have the right attitude. We need more like you; especially strong ones. When the time comes, you'll be lifting more than weights, you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nairi Posted September 5, 2003 Report Share Posted September 5, 2003 Dear Hagop, besides there being nothing wrong in having your own feelings about our history, including the genocide, there is also nothing wrong in learning something from older, more experienced people. Sarkis is a sportsman and he's a teenager. No one is asking him to "do his part" concerning the Armenian genocide, especially not with amateur sites. As MJ said earlier, it's not your fault that you are acting and reacting this way. This was done to you. But if you allow yourself to open your mind a little, you'd soon learn that there are many other ways to deal (emotionally) with the genocide. You'd also learn that making sites or screaming about our problems to the world is sometimes more harmful than helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted September 5, 2003 Report Share Posted September 5, 2003 Sarkis jan, all the best to you. Your doing your nation (and yourself) proud and at the end, thats what counts the most. Dont take these forumers seriously, I hear some of them are shizophrenics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sako_Aper Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 Hey thanks a lot Knight of Armenia, that made me feel good. And yes, I wish I would lift more than just weights, that'll be nice having a big impact on the Armenian Genocide and/or Armenia itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sako_Aper Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 Thanks Accelerated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hakop Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 Dear Hagop, besides there being nothing wrong in having your own feelings about our history, including the genocide, there is also nothing wrong in learning something from older, more experienced people. Sarkis is a sportsman and he's a teenager. No one is asking him to "do his part" concerning the Armenian genocide, especially not with amateur sites. As MJ said earlier, it's not your fault that you are acting and reacting this way. This was done to you. But if you allow yourself to open your mind a little, you'd soon learn that there are many other ways to deal (emotionally) with the genocide. You'd also learn that making sites or screaming about our problems to the world is sometimes more harmful than helpful. style_images/master/snapback.png You have to be kidding me... as i understand what you are saying is to stay quiet and let it be forgoten and not say a word about our history.... what is wrong with spreading the word to the people who dont know... is that a wrong way to deal with it? what is wrong with you. sarkis was not brought up wrong nothing was done to him or tought to him, he did his own research he is a smart person and he takes in what he knows he should. and a lot of the people here are so ignorent that they dont realise the article was not writen by an Armenian but a news reporter for salt lake city, utah who didnt even know what an Armenian was before meeting sarkis, and because the reporter dosnt have proper information and wording for the article that dosnt make it wrong that sarkis wanted to include his cultures history in it.... on another note: ever since that article he has achived 3 more world records and won first place in a worlds powerlifting compotetion in LAS VEGAS in december 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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