Lalayan Becomes Double European Runner-Up, Martirosyan Wins Bronze Medal

Varazdat Lalayan and Simon Martirosyan secured Armenia's last two medals at the European Weightlifting Championship held in Yerevan. The competition concluded at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex with the heavyweights' struggle.

In the +109 kg weight category, Georgian lifter Lasha Talakhadze left no opportunities for Varazdat Lalayan and Simon Martirosyan. Armenia's two leading weightlifters won silver and bronze medals respectively. Varazdat Lalayan registered a total of 262 kg (212+250) in the clean and jerk, while Simon Martirosyan achieved a total of 440 kg (195+245).

Changing his weight category, Simon Martirosyan successfully performed the first two attempts in the snatch. He first lifted 190 kg, followed by 195 kg. Coach Pashik Alaverdyan ordered 200 kg for the third attempt, but Martirosyan failed to lift it, earning him a small bronze medal.

World and European runner-up Varazdat Lalayan lifted 205 kg in his first attempt of the snatch. He successfully snatched 212 kg in his second attempt but failed at 218 kg ordered for his third attempt. He earned a small silver medal in this discipline.

Lasha Talakhadze, a two-time Olympic champion and six-time world and European champion, who was the main favorite in the +109 kg category, lifted 222 kg in the snatch, winning the small gold medal in this event.