Turkish Weightlifter Refuses Handshake With Armenian Competitor, Later Returns to Apologize and Hug Him

A Turkish weightlifter declined to shake hands with Armenia’s Artur Petrosyan during a medal ceremony at the European Youth Weightlifting Championships, but later returned to apologize and embrace the Armenian athlete.

Footage from the ceremony shows Petrosyan reaching out to shake the Turkish athlete’s hand as the medalists stood together on the podium. As Petrosyan extended his hand, the Turkish competitor pulled his own hand back and moved on without acknowledging the gesture.

The moment was followed by a markedly different exchange. After the ceremony, the Turkish athlete approached Petrosyan, shook his hand, hugged him and apologized for what had happened.

The Armenian Weightlifting Federation released video of both encounters.

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