Local News in Brief : Judo Speeds New Citizen

An Armenian-born member of the Los Angeles City College judo team has become an American citizen ahead of schedule so that he may begin participating in competition to qualify for the 1988 Olympics.

At a special ceremony, U.S. District Judge Dickran Tevrizian swore in Gregor Chivichyan, 24, regarded by LACC judo coach Hayward Nishioka as “a pretty tough guy” who has a good chance to make the Olympics. “All he has to do is get into these tournaments and rack up the points.”

Chivichyan was to participate in a mass swearing-in ceremony in late November, but Nishioka said it would then be too late to take part in judo’s U.S. Invitational Championships. The coach then appealed to City Councilman John Ferraro and former Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Robert Philibosian, who got help from Tevrizian.