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A TEAM OF 1: HOURY GEBESHIAN WILL BE THE LONE ARMENIAN COMPETITOR AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
By Nick Hegland
University of Iowa Athletics
Sept 27 2011
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Former University of Iowa women's gymnast Houry
Gebeshian has advanced her gymnastics career to a level aspiring
gymnasts dream of. She'll take the next step Oct. 7 at the 2011 World
Gymnastics Championship in Japan.
Gebeshian began competing at the age of seven. She was a state champion
and national competitor as a prep before becoming a three-time All-Big
Ten selection, both academically and athletically, for the Hawkeyes.
Although her eligibility is has expired, Gebeshian isn't putting an
end to her career. The Newton, Mass., native will represent Armenia
at the 2011 World Gymnastics Championship.
Gebeshian will not only be representing an entire country, the
birthplace of her grandparents, she will be competing for Armenia by
herself -- a one person team.
She could win every event and still not accumulate enough points to
bring back a championship for the country. That's not her objective...
it's much larger.
Armenia possesses a wealth of talented female athletes but lacks the
funding needed to recruit, train and showcase such talent. Personal
success will remain high on Gebeshian's priority list -- it always
has been -- but she understands her role for the country, gymnastics
and women's athletics in general.
"My job for Armenia is not only to compete, but to show female
athletes in Armenia that it is possible to compete on an elite,
international level," said Gebeshian. "The talent is there. I want
to encourage them to pursue their goals and hopefully inspire them
to advance to that next level, similar to what I'm doing."
Gebeshian's family has connections with a liaison to the Armenian
Olympic Committee. After a successful Big Ten season and an invitation
to compete as an individual in the all-around competition at the
2011 NCAA Championships, Gebeshian clearly displayed the talent to
compete at a higher level. The invitation was extended, with a mutual
understanding of the broader objective, and Gebeshian quickly accepted.
"I knew that I wanted to continue to compete so this was an easy
decision for me," said Gebeshian. "I was born and raised in the United
States, but my family is from Armenia. This will be a great honor."
With eyes set on such a large stage, most would put all tasks aside
in preparation. It's just the opposite for Gebeshian. She juggles a
full class schedule as an integrated physiology major, works for the
UI athletics department and still manages to find time for several
hours of training seven days a week.
"I seem to have no free time, but I've learned that the work is
necessary to accomplish the goals I want to achieve," said Gebeshian.
"Such a busy schedule and focus is necessary, but when those goals
are met it's all worth it."
To say she has a lot on her plate is a gross understatement, but
Gebeshian has shown she is more than capable. In October, all of the
work will be put aside for several days in Tokyo as she strives for
personal perfection and attempts to advance women's athletics for an
entire country solely by herself.
"I honestly don't know what to expect once I get there, but the
opportunity is too good to turn down," said Gebeshian. "If I can
advance the sport of gymnastics and women's athletics in a country
all while competing, the work I've put in will be worth it."
http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/w-gym/spec-rel/092711aaa.html
By Nick Hegland
University of Iowa Athletics
Sept 27 2011
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Former University of Iowa women's gymnast Houry
Gebeshian has advanced her gymnastics career to a level aspiring
gymnasts dream of. She'll take the next step Oct. 7 at the 2011 World
Gymnastics Championship in Japan.
Gebeshian began competing at the age of seven. She was a state champion
and national competitor as a prep before becoming a three-time All-Big
Ten selection, both academically and athletically, for the Hawkeyes.
Although her eligibility is has expired, Gebeshian isn't putting an
end to her career. The Newton, Mass., native will represent Armenia
at the 2011 World Gymnastics Championship.
Gebeshian will not only be representing an entire country, the
birthplace of her grandparents, she will be competing for Armenia by
herself -- a one person team.
She could win every event and still not accumulate enough points to
bring back a championship for the country. That's not her objective...
it's much larger.
Armenia possesses a wealth of talented female athletes but lacks the
funding needed to recruit, train and showcase such talent. Personal
success will remain high on Gebeshian's priority list -- it always
has been -- but she understands her role for the country, gymnastics
and women's athletics in general.
"My job for Armenia is not only to compete, but to show female
athletes in Armenia that it is possible to compete on an elite,
international level," said Gebeshian. "The talent is there. I want
to encourage them to pursue their goals and hopefully inspire them
to advance to that next level, similar to what I'm doing."
Gebeshian's family has connections with a liaison to the Armenian
Olympic Committee. After a successful Big Ten season and an invitation
to compete as an individual in the all-around competition at the
2011 NCAA Championships, Gebeshian clearly displayed the talent to
compete at a higher level. The invitation was extended, with a mutual
understanding of the broader objective, and Gebeshian quickly accepted.
"I knew that I wanted to continue to compete so this was an easy
decision for me," said Gebeshian. "I was born and raised in the United
States, but my family is from Armenia. This will be a great honor."
With eyes set on such a large stage, most would put all tasks aside
in preparation. It's just the opposite for Gebeshian. She juggles a
full class schedule as an integrated physiology major, works for the
UI athletics department and still manages to find time for several
hours of training seven days a week.
"I seem to have no free time, but I've learned that the work is
necessary to accomplish the goals I want to achieve," said Gebeshian.
"Such a busy schedule and focus is necessary, but when those goals
are met it's all worth it."
To say she has a lot on her plate is a gross understatement, but
Gebeshian has shown she is more than capable. In October, all of the
work will be put aside for several days in Tokyo as she strives for
personal perfection and attempts to advance women's athletics for an
entire country solely by herself.
"I honestly don't know what to expect once I get there, but the
opportunity is too good to turn down," said Gebeshian. "If I can
advance the sport of gymnastics and women's athletics in a country
all while competing, the work I've put in will be worth it."
http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/w-gym/spec-rel/092711aaa.html