Varazdat Lalayan and Aleksandra Grigoryan Bring Home Medals for Armenia from the World Weightlifting Championships

Varazdat Lalayan, a prominent member of Armenia's men’s weightlifting team, has achieved a historic milestone in his career. At 25 years old, Lalayan became the world champion at the World Weightlifting Championships held in Manama, Bahrain. This is the first time he has earned the prestigious title, validating his status as a top athlete in the sport.

The Armenian Report was at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan to welcome the returning champions. Speaking to reporters, Lalayan shared his thoughts on his victory and the road ahead. “The competition is becoming tougher, and the value of gold is increasing. We must give our all to ensure we bring more gold to Armenia,” he said. “After the Olympic Games, we didn’t take a break. We continued training and pushed our limits at the championship. Although this wasn’t my maximum, I lifted what was needed at that moment.”

Lalayan’s achievement came with a combined result of 467 kg (215 kg in the snatch and 252 kg in the clean and jerk), securing him the gold medal in the 109+ kg category. This victory also marked Armenia’s second medal at the championship, with Alexandra Grigoryan earning a bronze in her category.

For years, the heavyweight gold medal at the World Championships was dominated by Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze, who has since retired to serve in parliament. Reflecting on this shift, Lalayan said with a smile, “For many years, this medal was won by one person. Now it was time for someone else to take it. I feel immense satisfaction.”

The gold medal was presented to Lalayan by teammate Simon Martirosyan, a celebrated weightlifter who could not compete in Bahrain due to an injury. This symbolic gesture shows the camaraderie within the Armenian weightlifting team.

Bronze medalist Alexandra Grigoryan also spoke about her experience at the senior world championship, her first in this competitive tier. “At first, things didn’t go as planned, but I pulled myself together because I knew my strength in the snatch,” Grigoryan explained. “Winning a medal at the senior level is much harder than at the youth level. My goal now is to become a champion in my weight category and follow in the footsteps of legends like Nazik Avdalyan.”

Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Karen Giloyan, spoke about the challenges the Armenian team faced. “Our team was not fully prepared for this world championship. Injuries and unexpected zero scores demonstrated this,” Giloyan said. He also noted the impressive performances from competitors representing Iraq and Iran, which heightened the overall intensity of the championship.

Giloyan mentioned a specific incident involving a third-place finisher whose lift was performed incorrectly. While the Armenian team chose not to appeal the decision this time, he assured that future competitions would see greater vigilance and advocacy for fairness.

Varazdat Lalayan’s world championship victory and Alexandra Grigoryan’s bronze medal show a promising future for Armenian weightlifting. With a commitment to rigorous training and a focus on overcoming challenges, these athletes are not only making their mark on the global stage but also inspiring the next generation of Armenian weightlifters.

As the Armenian team continues to strive for excellence, their achievements serve as a testament to their resilience and dedication. For a nation with a proud sporting heritage, these victories are a source of immense pride and a rallying point for fans and supporters worldwide.