Armenian-Born Weightlifter Gor Minasyan Wins Bronze for Bahrain at Paris Olympics

Gor Minasyan, a weightlifter with roots in Armenia, earned the bronze medal for Bahrain in the super heavyweight category at the Paris Olympics. Competing in the +109 kg division, Minasyan lifted an impressive 245 kg in the clean and jerk. Although he faced challenges in his subsequent attempts at 255 kg, his initial lift was enough to secure him a spot on the podium.

The decision for Gor Minasyan to represent Bahrain instead of Armenia at the Paris Olympics was driven by international regulations and the competitive landscape in Armenian weightlifting. According to Pashik Alaverdyan, the head coach of the Armenian national team, each National Olympic Committee (NOC) is allowed to qualify only one athlete per weight class and three athletes per gender across all weight categories for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This is a reduction from the previous Olympics, where countries could send four athletes in each category.

Armenia has a strong lineup of super-heavyweight lifters, with three athletes of nearly equal strength and capability in the same weight class. However, given the restrictive qualification rules, only two could be selected for major competitions like the European and World Championships, which would leave one top athlete unable to participate.

To avoid this situation, Minasyan accepted an invitation from the Bahrain Federation, allowing him to continue competing at the highest levels. This decision has already borne fruit, as Minasyan not only qualified for the Paris Olympics under the Bahraini flag but also secured a bronze medal in the super heavyweight category, adding to his already impressive list of international achievements.

Minasyan, born on October 25, 1994, has had a storied career in weightlifting. Before representing Bahrain, he was a key figure in Armenian weightlifting, earning multiple international medals. He gained widespread recognition after winning a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, showcasing his talent in the super-heavyweight category. Minasyan also set a youth world record in the snatch for the +94 kg division, a record that stood until 2018, when the International Weightlifting Federation reorganized the weight categories.

However, his journey has not been without setbacks. In 2013, Minasyan faced a two-year ban from the sport after testing positive for norandrosterone, a banned substance. Despite this challenge, he made a strong comeback, earning a bronze medal at the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships and securing silver medals at the European Weightlifting Championships in 2016 and 2017, as well as at the 2018 World Weightlifting Championships.

In 2021, Minasyan added another bronze to his collection at the World Weightlifting Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in the men’s +109 kg event. However, in July 2022, a significant change occurred in Minasyan's career. Due to Armenia's strong lineup of super-heavyweight lifters, with only two allowed to compete in international competitions, Minasyan began representing Bahrain. His decision paid off quickly, as he won gold in the men’s +109 kg event at the 2022 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Manama, Bahrain.

Minasyan's success continued in 2023 when he defended his Asian title, winning the +109 kg event at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Jinju, South Korea. In this competition, he matched his personal record total of 464 kg, further solidifying his status as one of the top weightlifters in the world.

Minasyan’s bronze medal at the Paris Olympics adds to his impressive list of achievements and highlights his resilience and dedication to the sport. Although he now competes for Bahrain, his journey from an Armenian youth world record holder to an Olympic medalist for two nations is a testament to his remarkable skill and determination.