Weightlifting World Championships: Varazdat Lalayan is the world champion
On the final day of the Weightlifting World Championships in the capital of Bahrain, Manama, Varazdat Lalayan, the Olympic silver medalist, became the champion in the super-heavyweight category.
In the snatch event, Lalayan successfully completed all three attempts. First, he lifted 206 kg. Then, he increased the weight by 5 kg in his second attempt. In his third attempt, Lalayan successfully lifted 215 kg overhead, earning the gold medal in the snatch.
In the clean and jerk event, Lalayan lifted 246 kg in his first attempt. Although he failed in his second attempt, he managed to secure the gold in the overall total with his third attempt, despite winning the bronze in the clean and jerk. A 25 years old weightlifter achieved a total of 467 kg in the two lifts combined.
Armenian weightlifter Gor Minasian also represented Bahrain in the competition. He finished third in the overall total with 255 kg (210+245).
This victory marked Lalayan’s second gold medal in his career. He also won gold at the 2024 European Championships in Sofia. He is a two-time World Championship silver and bronze medalist. At the European Championships, he is a two-time silver and bronze medalist.