Armenian Weightlifters Dominate at 2025 World Championships
In a remarkable display of strength, Armenian athletes Varazdat Lalayan and Gor Minasyan secured gold and silver medals, respectively, in the super heavyweight division at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships held in Norway on Saturday.
Varazdat Lalayan achieved a total lift of 461 kg, which included a 211 kg snatch and a 250 kg clean and jerk, earning him the gold medal. His fellow countryman, Gor Minasyan, competing for Bahrain, finished with a total of 447 kg, comprised of a 205 kg snatch and a 242 kg clean and jerk, clinching the silver medal. This victory marks a significant milestone for Lalayan, who has now won consecutive world championships after years of trailing behind the legendary Lasha Talakhadze of Georgia. Lalayan had previously secured a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics held in Paris. Meanwhile, Minasyan, who won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games while representing Armenia, achieved his first World Championship silver medal since 2019, bringing his total tally to five medals in World Championship history.