We caught up with the affable Artur Barseghyan right after his 50m butterfly heat at the 16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2022. The Olympian from Armenia stopped the clock in 23.65 in the sixth or ten event heats to place 46th in the 73-swimmer field. 

If you're looking for a rooting interest to follow in tomorrow's 50m free, look no further than Barseghyan.  

First of all, congrats on making it to Melbourne. How’s it been here?

It’s been amazing. Everywhere I go here, the first thing I feel is kindness from the people. They’re so kind and they look so happy, so it’s not hard to feel joy here. That’s the first thing I will tell people about being here.

Before the race, we saw you rocking some pretty awesome multi-coloured knee-high socks. What’s the story behind those; are they your lucky race socks?

No, no (laughs). It’s for my muscles. It’s been so cold here. Back home in my country, it’s not super hot or cold. I need to wear them. They help with my circulation.

I understand you’re from Yerevan, Armenia's capital city. What club do you train with? Who’s your coach?

My coach is Arman Vahanyan. He’s the head coach in Armenia. We’ve had this championship on our minds for a while; we have been training for this for the last year and a half. Most recently, I raced in Kazan. I swam the same time I swam here. It’s not everything I wanted, performance-wise, but it’s the end of the year. It’s okay; I am okay with my performance here.

Talking performance, here we are after your 50m butterfly heats. But you also have the 50m freestyle coming up.

Yes, exactly. Next up is the 50m freestyle. I think I’m ready to go 22 or under. It’s time to swim 21.

You also recently received a FINA Scholarship to help with your training and racing. How has this helped you progress in your career?

My career’s progressing and the help I’m receiving from FINA is playing a part. This helps me with everything, from food to training to medical support, everything. This is helping me swim fast. I know where I can go. Without a scholarship, it’s not too easy. Now I can fully concentrate on sport and become someone in the sport. I’ve got a great coach; when he tells me something, I listen. I’ve also got a great training group around me; they’re so kind. One of my junior friends was at the European Games and he made the semifinals. It’s great, it’s great.

I think the first time we saw you on the international stage was in Hongzhou, followed up with the Youth Olympic Games, then in Tokyo for last summer’s Olympics. You’re 20 years old now, how’s your career progressing?

Recently, it’s been a nervous time. My career, for a while, I had to stop for a bit. My father had to go to Germany for cancer treatment. Now, I’m having to protect my family. It’s a big responsibility. It’s difficult, sure, but I need to do this. I need to do this for my family, and for myself.

While we’re still at a world championships with another race to go for you here in Melbourne, could be take a moment to look ahead to Fukuoka for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships? How is the short course worlds setting you up for your aspirations in the long course world champs in just over a half-year’s time?

From my until Fukuoka, you’ll see me in the gym – lots. I’m going to be lifting big weights. I feel this is one area where I can really improve. In Fukuoka, it’s going to be great.