Hripsime Khurshudyan on Ending Her Career

Hripsime Khurshudyan, a member of the Armenian women's weightlifting national team and bronze medalist of the European Championship, is retiring from professional sports.

“No one knows what I’ve been through to participate in this competition. There were times I wanted to give up, but my husband and friend Artash encouraged me and brought me to this tournament. I wanted to end my career with a medal, which I achieved, and I am happy about it. I have been in this sport for 25 years,” Khurshudyan told Armenpress in Sofia.

The European Championship bronze medalist expressed special gratitude to her Armenian fans, who have stood by her in both victories and defeats. “I don’t know how I will leave sports. On one hand, there are tears of joy; on the other hand, I feel sad and think how I wish I could be 20 again and step onto the competition stage once more,” she said.

The members of the Armenian women's team concluded their performances at the European Weightlifting Championship. On the 8th day of the competitions taking place in Sofia, Bulgaria, heavyweight women competed. Armenian team member Hripsime Khurshudyan successfully lifted 102 and 105 kg in her first two attempts. In this category, Khurshudyan became a bronze medalist. In the clean and jerk, she lifted 122 kg. With a total of 227 kg in the two-lift competition, she won the bronze medal.