Armenia Hosts National Weightlifting Championship Ahead of European and World Championships

The 2026 Armenian Weightlifting Championship brought together the nation’s strongest athletes in an intense and emotional competition. The Armenian Report followed every moment of the championship, capturing the dedication, determination, and celebrations of Armenia’s top weightlifters.

This year’s championship provided an important opportunity for athletes and coaches to evaluate readiness ahead of the European Championship in Batumi and the World Championship in China later this year. Federation President Arayik Harutyunyan explained the goals of the championship:

“The purpose of holding internal championships in this way is to see our current condition and what reserves we have. It also gives coaches a clear opportunity to evaluate the athletes before major competitions. In two months, we have the European Championship in Batumi, and in the fall, the World Championship in China.

Another important goal is to turn internal championships into a celebration, so our athletes feel the same excitement as international competitions at the start of the year. We invited international referees, who also conducted training for specialists. This is a good opportunity for experience exchange.

We also want our audience to come and see the strongest athletes, who are creating records worldwide. Fans should see our best athletes up close. Weightlifting is loved in Armenia, and we need to create additional celebrations for the public.”

Women’s Champions:

48 kg: Kristine Babayan (Ararat)

53 kg: Izabella Yaylyan (Yerevan)

58 kg: Alexandra Grigoryan (Gyumri)

63 kg: Natalya Sargsyan (Gyumri)

69 kg: Meri Misakyan (Kasakh)

77 kg: Anna Amroyan (Gyumri)

86 kg: Emma Poghosyan (Gyumri)

Men’s Champions:

60 kg: Garnik Cholakyan (Gyumri)

65 kg: Zhora Grigoryan (Ararat)

71 kg: Gor Sahakyan (Vedi)

79 kg: Martin Poghosyan (Ararat)

88 kg: Rafik Harutyunyan (Gyumri)

94 kg: Ara Aghanyan (Gyumri)

110 kg: Garik Karapetyan (Gyumri)

+110 kg: Varazdat Lalayan (Gyumri)

The championship highlighted not only the athletes’ strength and skill but also the strategic and emotional preparation needed for international competitions. It gave coaches a clear view of athlete progress, allowed for experience exchange with international referees, and strengthened public interest in weightlifting across Armenia.

The 2026 Armenian Weightlifting Championship successfully combined competition, celebration, and preparation for future success. It showed Armenia’s readiness to showcase its champions at the European and World stages, while celebrating the dedication of the nation’s top weightlifters.

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