Karekin Simonian is an internationally recognised Referee in Weightlifting and Bodybuilding sports. He was granted the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness ( I.F.B.B) Gold Medal, International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) National Gold Medal For 25 years, and IWF Golden Plaque for 50 Years Service International Referee in Body Building & weightlifting. Five people in the world, and then only Armenian, whom has been granted this golden Plaque. He was the International Paralympics Committee Referee Sponsor to NSW-Australian Weightlifting Team and has been the I.F.B.B Reporter for 50 years.
For more than 50 years Karekin Simonian has dedicated his time and expertise to the betterment of sport in Australia and overseas (Middle East, Armenia and United States), and volunteered at the Sydney Olympics 2000 on the weight lifting team. He has also supported and worked as committee member of the PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Club) in Sydney-Australia. In 2011 he was nominated for Australian Citizen of The Year by the City of Ryde. http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/media-releases/2011/070111_citizen-and-young-citizen-of-the-year.pdf?streamfile=true
Personal life: Karekin Simonian was born in Iraq in 1932 of an Armenian family, he holds a dual citizenship (Australian and American), married to Zvart Vartanian (an Educator and Armenian socialite), and their children are Dr. Margaret Simonian, Sarkis Simonian,..