David Arakelyan Wins Snatch Silver at the 2026 European U20 Weightlifting Championships

On October 13, Armenian weightlifters began their campaign at the 2026 European Junior (U20) and U23 Weightlifting Championships in Durrës, Albania.

Armenia was represented by David Arakelyan and Artush Grigoryan in the men's U20 65 kg category. Arakelyan claimed a silver medal in the snatch, although both Armenian athletes finished outside the top three in the overall total.

David Arakelyan lifted 127 kg in the snatch to finish second in the discipline. He then recorded 148 kg in the clean and jerk, finishing fifth overall with a combined total of 275 kg.

Artush Grigoryan achieved a total of 261 kg (116 kg in the snatch and 145 kg in the clean and jerk), placing tenth.

Turkey's Burak Aykun became the European U20 champion with a total of 281 kg. Moldova's Ion Badanev secured the silver medal with 280 kg, while Italy's Claudio Sorrentino took bronze with 279 kg.

2026 European U20 Weightlifting Championships Results – Men's 65 kg

1. Burak Aykun (Turkey) — 281 kg (123+158)

2. Ion Badanev (Moldova) — 280 kg (124+156)

3. Claudio Sorrentino (Italy) — 279 kg (128+153)

5th place: David Arakelyan (Armenia) — 275 kg (127+148)

10th place: Artush Grigoryan (Armenia) — 261 kg (116+145)

With this result, David Arakelyan earned Armenia's first small medal at the 2026 European Junior and U23 Weightlifting Championships.

Another Armenian athlete, Seyran Khudanyan, will compete today, October 13, in the men's U23 60 kg category.

The European U20 and U23 Weightlifting Championships have been taking place in Durrës since October 12.