Ashot Zarinyan — European Champion and one of Russia’s strongest middleweights in IKO

Biography

Ashot Kamoyevich Zarinyan is a Russian Kyokushin fighter, Honored Master of Sport of Russia, holder of a 3rd dan black belt, and one of the most successful representatives of the Russian IKO generation of the 2010s. He was born on May 29, 1994.

Over many years, Zarinyan was a member of the Russian national team and successfully competed at World Championships, European Championships, All Japan Open, and major international tournaments. Among specialists he is known as one of the most technical fighters of his generation, which is confirmed by special best-technique awards at major competitions.

Path in Kyokushin

Ashot’s sporting career developed rapidly. By the mid-2010s he had become one of the leaders of the Russian national team in the under-80 kg weight class.

2017-2019 were particularly successful years — he won World Championship medals, became European Champion, and won the Russian Championship on multiple occasions. His bouts against Russia’s strongest fighters, including Alexei Galiev, were considered among the most spectacular in national Kyokushin.

World Open and World Championship Performances

Ashot Zarinyan’s greatest international achievement was a bronze medal at the 2017 IKO World Championship by weight categories.

He also performed successfully in Japan at the organization’s major tournaments:

  • 2017 — bronze medalist at the IKO World Championship by weight categories;
  • 2017 — 5th place at the All Japan Open absolute championship;
  • 2015 — participant in the IKO absolute World Championship.

Finishing in the top five at the All Japan Open is considered a very significant achievement for a foreign athlete.

Victories and Podium Finishes

World Championships

  • 2017 — bronze medalist at the IKO World Championship by weight categories.

European Championships

  • 2018 — European Champion;
  • 2019 — European Champion.

Russian Championships

  • 2017 — Russian Champion;
  • 2018 — Russian Champion.

Russian Cup

  • 2017 — silver medalist at the Russian Cup;
  • 2018 — winner of the Russian Cup.

All Japan Open

  • 2017 — 5th place at the All Japan absolute championship.

IKO International Tournaments

  • 2019 — silver medalist at the All American Open;
  • 2015 — top-8 finish at the All American Open.

Special Awards

Best Technique

  • 2017 — special award for best technique at the Russian Championship;
  • 2019 — best technique award at the Belarus Open Cup international tournament (according to international sources on the athlete’s career).

Tameshiwari

  • 2017 — winner of the Russian Cup in tameshiwari.

Fighting Spirit

  • 2018 — special award for fighting spirit at the Russian Cup.