Iowa alum Houry Gebeshian to represent Armenia in Rio Olympics

A former member of the Iowa Hawkeyes gymnastics team will be making the trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Following an impressive performance at the Olympic Test Event inside the Rio Olympic Arena in Brazil, Houry Gebeshian learned she had been named to the Armenian national team. Gebeshian, who has dual citizenship in the United States and Armenia, will be the only female gymnast representing the Republic of Armenia and will compete as an individual.

“It is so rewarding and such a relief to say that I made it,” Gebeshian said, via Hawk Talk Daily. “It was a devastating experience to not have qualified four years ago. That pushed me to do it this time around. I went through my training very systematically and was a lot smarter about it.”

Because Gebeshian participated at the Olympic Test Event, she got first-hand experience with the same equipment that will be used this August.

“It was cool because you got to feel the equipment and get comfortable,” Gebeshian said. “You don’t ever get that experience. Normally, you get podium training, compete, and then you’re done. It’s nice to know what to expect in August.”

Gebeshian will begin competition on Aug. 7.

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Photo Credit: Instagram/@Houry Gebeshian

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