Varazdat Lalayan Crowned European Weightlifting Champion, Simon Martirosyan Takes Silver

Varazdat Lalayan is the champion at the European Weightlifting Championship, securing the title of European champion for the first time in his career. The competition, held in Sofia, Bulgaria, saw Lalayan's impressive performance in the +109 kg weight category, solidifying his place among the weightlifting elite.

Lalayan's triumph came in a two-fight event, where he showcased exceptional skill by lifting a total of 455 kg. The Armenian athlete started the competition strong, lifting 200 kg in his first attempt and following it up with a successful 205 kg lift in the second round. Although the third attempt at 210 kg proved challenging, Lalayan's overall performance earned him the well-deserved European champion title.

Simon Martirosyan, another notable representative in the same weight category, secured the silver medal with a total lift of 437 kg (190+247). Martirosyan's journey in the championship was marked by a solid first attempt of 190 kg, breaking through to lift 247 kg in the second round. Despite facing challenges in the subsequent attempts, he managed to clinch the silver medal, adding another accolade to his distinguished career.

Lalayan's success continued in the push-up exercise, where he confidently lifted 240 kg in the first attempt and pushed the boundaries further with a remarkable 250 kg in the second. Unfortunately, his third attempt was abandoned, but his earlier accomplishments secured his status as a minor gold medalist in this exercise.

Martirosyan, in the push-up category, demonstrated his strength by successfully lifting 241 kg in the first attempt and reaching 247 kg in the second. However, his third attempt at 255 kg proved to be a formidable challenge, resulting in a missed lift. Despite this, Martirosyan's achievements were recognized with a small bronze medal.

It is worth noting that the +109 kg weight category's leader, Lasha Talakhadze, a 7-time world and European champion and two-time Olympic champion from Georgia, had to withdraw from the competition due to injury.