Unveiling Athletic Talents: Exploring the Selection Process for Young Wrestlers in Armenian Sports Schools

In contemporary wrestling, talent identification plays a pivotal role due to stringent criteria for athletes, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional attributes. However, limited research exists regarding the athlete selection process in the Republic of Armenia, representing a critical knowledge gap that this study aims to address. This research investigates the criteria used to admit young athletes into Armenian wrestling training schools by analysing responses from 24 wrestling coaches through a structured questionnaire. Using coding and participative ranking methodology to evaluate the data, the findings revealed a notable absence of formal athlete selection criteria in Armenian wrestling schools. This highlights the urgent need for a structured and transparent selection system within the Armenian wrestling community. Based on the results, the study recommends comprehensive improvements—incorporating psychological, physical, and emotional criteria—to enhance fairness and effectiveness in talent identification.