Gor Papoyan: Double World Karate Champion and Proud SMART Student

Thirteen-year-old Gor Papoyan from Vanadzor juggles a whirlwind of interests; chess, the “Armath” engineering lab, a programming summer school, SMART classes, and traditional karate. At the very top of his “interests podium,” SMART and karate share first place.

“One day after school, I came home and my mom told me she signed me up for SMART,” Gor recalls with bright eyes and unfiltered excitement. “I didn’t know anything about the Center back then. I was really little. The first time I saw it, I was stunned by how beautiful it was. Then I realized just how much I could learn there.”

Since then, Gor has completed nine SMART programs and is eagerly awaiting the remaining seven. He says each program teaches him something new, and every new skill finds its way into his daily life.

“In my Armath group, I was the only one who knew the programming language thanks to SMART. And after taking VR Fitness and dance classes, I became more flexible, which really helps with karate drills,” says Gor, adding that leadership skills have been useful “pretty much everywhere.”

Gor is also a two-time world champion in karate for his age category. Asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he answers without hesitation: “A healthy professional.” The meaning is open to interpretation.

Concentration is very important when composing music.

Of all the skills Gor has gained at SMART, teamwork is the one he treasures most.

Gor found his element in the musical instruments program.

Thanks to his Chinese lessons, Gor can share Lori’s beauty with visiting tourists in their own language.

A big fan of outdoor games, Gor can’t wait for the SMART playground to open.

The most precious piece in Gor’s collection is the medal he received from his coach on the fourth day of training—the spark that drove him to become a double champion.

Knife tricks? Best kept to the tatami—and only under a coach’s watchful eye.

Fun fact: Gor’s sensei says Armenia gave Ilya Jorga, co-founder of the International Shotokan Karate-do Federation, official permission to feature Mount Ararat in his signature.

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