On April 21, Armenian weightlifter Varazdat Lalayan has claimed his second career European Championship title, earning gold in the combined event with a total lift of 450 kg at the 2025 European Weightlifting Championships, held in Moldova.
Representing Armenia’s men’s national weightlifting team, Lalayan — already a vice-champion of the Paris Olympics, and both world and European champion — dominated the super heavyweight (+109 kg) category. He secured gold medals in all three categories: 210 kg in the snatch, 240 kg in the clean and jerk, and 450 kg overall.
With Lalayan’s victory, Armenia’s men’s team concluded the championships with a strong performance: 2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals in the combined events.
Earlier, Garik Karapetyan also won a European Championship title in the 109 kg weight class, lifting a combined total of 411 kg (185+226 kg).
Silver medals were awarded to Gor Sahakyan (73 kg, 153+185 kg), Rafik Harutyunyan (81 kg), and Simon Martirosyan (109 kg), while bronze medals went to Garnik Cholakyan (61 kg) and Davit Hovhannisyan (96 kg, 124+151 kg).
The women’s team also wrapped up their competition today. In the super heavyweight category, Meri Tumasyan placed fifth with a total lift of 214 kg (98+116 kg). Her teammate, Julieta Avanesyan, was forced to withdraw due to a back injury after lifting 80 kg and 86 kg in the snatch.
Alexandra Grigoryan (55 kg, 85+117 kg), Anna Amroyan (76 kg, 100+131 kg), and Liana Gyurjyan (87 kg, 106+140 kg) all claimed the title of European vice-champions.
The men’s team was led by head coach Pashiki Alaverdyan, while Artashes Nersisyan served as head coach of the women’s team.
