Armenia Makes History: Men’s and Women’s Weightlifting Teams Both Ranked #1 at European Championships

The Armenian national weightlifting teams have made history. For the first time ever, both the men’s and women’s teams finished first in the team rankings at the European Weightlifting Championships held in Chisinau, Moldova.

This is a moment of pride not just for Armenia’s weightlifters, but for the entire country. It shows the world the strength, discipline, and talent that Armenian athletes bring to international sports.

According to the Armenian Weightlifting Federation, Armenia was ranked #1 in both the men's and women’s team categories — an incredible achievement that has never happened before in Armenian weightlifting history.

Even though Armenia did not take the most total medals, the combined performance of all athletes placed the country third in overall medal count, behind two other nations. But more importantly, Armenia stood at the top of the team rankings, which reflects how strong and united the national teams are.

10 Medals for Armenian Weightlifters

Armenian athletes took home a total of 10 medals in the combined events, which include both the snatch and the clean & jerk lifts.

• Gold Medals (2):

  • Varazdat Lalayan lifted a massive 450 kg total — with 210 kg in snatch and 240 kg in clean & jerk.

  • Garik Karapetyan earned gold with a total of 411 kg — 185 kg in snatch and 226 kg in clean & jerk.

    
    

• Silver Medals (6):

  • Alexandra Grigoryan (202 kg total – 85 + 117)

  • Gor Sahakyan (338 kg total – 153 + 185)

  • Rafik Harutyunyan (343 kg total – 158 + 185)

  • Anna Amroyan (231 kg total – 100 + 131)

  • Simon Martirosyan, a world champion and fan favorite, lifted a powerful 406 kg (180 + 225)

  • Liana Gyurjyan (246 kg total – 106 + 140)

    
    

• Bronze Medals (2):

  • Garnik Cholakyan (275 kg total – 124 + 151)

  • David Hovhannisyan (376 kg total – 173 + 203)

This historic double victory sends a strong message — Armenian weightlifting is not just surviving, it is thriving.

Behind these medals are years of hard work, pain, discipline, and sacrifice. Armenian athletes continue to train under difficult conditions, often with limited resources. Yet they never stop believing, and they never stop lifting. This victory belongs to them, their coaches, their families — and to every Armenian who believes in the power of sports to unite a nation.

As Armenia continues to face political and economic challenges, sports victories like these give people hope and pride. The Armenian flag was raised high, and the world was reminded once again: Armenians are strong, determined, and ready to lead.

Let this be just the beginning.

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