Meet the Armenian Women in Weightlifting Who Are Redefining Strength

This year, to mark International Women’s Day, The Armenian Report decided to do something unique to honor Armenian women. We traveled from Yerevan, the capital, to Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, to meet some of the country’s top female weightlifters who are making their mark on the global stage.

Our team captured the athletes in action during their training sessions and had the opportunity to speak with them, as well as their coach, Kristine Petrosyan, a former weightlifter herself.

Kristine Petrosyan, now the coach of Armenia’s women’s weightlifting team, shared her deep passion for the sport and her pride in her athletes. She told The Armenian Report, “I feel proud with each athlete’s new medal. It’s an inexplicable feeling. I always try to personally send them off to competitions and welcome them back. Whether they win or lose, I believe a coach should always stand by their athlete’s side.”

Petrosyan, who had to step away from competing in 2016 due to a back injury, now channels her energy into coaching. “I had a great desire to compete at the adult level, but unfortunately, that dream remained incomplete. Now, I am fulfilling that dream through my athletes.”

She also spoke about the challenges of recruiting young athletes into the sport. While some girls joined voluntarily, inspired by legendary Armenian weightlifters Nazik Avdalyan and Hripsime Khurshudyan, others needed persuasion. “It was difficult to convince the parents because they were worried about their daughter lifting heavy weights, but we managed to change their minds by showing them the results,” she explained.

Among the young weightlifters, Alexandra Grigoryan stands out as a multiple-medal winner, including a bronze at the World Championship. She recalled, “I started weightlifting when I was 12. At first, my sister trained, and I followed. Now, my commitment is even greater, especially after winning the European Championship last year. I have to maintain my results so that no one thinks my victory was just luck. The moment when the Armenian tricolor rises and the national anthem plays is indescribable.

Meri Tumasyan, another promising athlete, shared how she found her way into weightlifting. “I tried many sports as a child, but none felt right. Then, Kristine Petrosyan visited our school, looking for new athletes. I wanted to join, but my mother was against it. I kept convincing her, and one day, she finally said yes.”

Anna Amroyan, who won gold at last year’s European Junior Weightlifting Championship, has been passionate about sports since childhood. “I started gymnastics when I was six and later switched to weightlifting at 13. I saw Nazik Avdalyan on TV, and my mother admired her. My father, however, was against it, saying it was too hard for me. But like many others, I convinced him. Now, I’ve been training for six years, and I love my sport, despite the injuries.”

Emma Poghosyan, the gold medalist of the 2024 Junior Weightlifting Championship, also had an inspiring journey. “I started weightlifting in Armavir as a child, but when I moved to Gyumri, everything changed. Last year, I became the world youth champion for the first time and was named one of the ten best athletes. I hope to keep improving.”

Tanya Grigoryan’s introduction to weightlifting was unusual. “At school, I used to lift and hug everyone, and one day, the principal told me to go lift weights instead of hug-lifting so much. That’s how I started! It doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman in this sport—you have to do it with love. Without love, you won’t succeed.”

These young women are proving that strength is not just about lifting weights—it’s about determination, discipline, and passion. With the guidance of coaches like Kristine Petrosyan, Armenia’s female weightlifters are continuing to break barriers and achieve greatness on the international stage.

Their stories of perseverance and success are an inspiration, not only for aspiring athletes in Armenia but for young girls everywhere who dare to dream big and challenge societal norms. As they continue their journey, they carry the Armenian tricolor with pride, showing the world what Armenian women are capable of achieving.

Happy International Women’s Day to all Armenian women from past and present!