Boxing (Armenian: բռնցքամարտ břntsk'amart, literally "fist fight") in Armenia is a popular sport, that existed in the Armenian Highland since ancient times. Amateur boxing schools in the country appeared in early 1900s, by the mid-1950s boxing became one of the traditional sports in Armenia. In 1956 Vladimir Yengibaryan won a gold medal at the Olympics for the Soviet team. In early 21st century professional and amateur boxing in Armenia reached another peak. Most notably Arthur Abraham and Vic Darchinyan won several professional world champion titles. Dozens of amateur boxer have been placed in the top 3 of the world and Europe in their weight categories. Vladimir Yengibarian was the first man who opened boxing schools in Armenia