Emma Poghosyan Finishes Eighth at 2026 World Weightlifting Championships, Takes First Step Toward LA 2028

Armenian weightlifter Emma Poghosyan finished among the top eight in the women's 86 kg category at the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships. The result is particularly significant in the context of qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

On November 7, the women's 86 kg competition concluded at the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China. Armenia was represented by two athletes — Emma Poghosyan and Liana Gyurjyan.

Poghosyan recorded a total of 249 kg to finish eighth overall. In the snatch, she successfully lifted 106 kg but failed her subsequent attempts at 109 kg and 110 kg.

In the clean and jerk, the Armenian weightlifter completed successful lifts of 138 kg and 143 kg before missing her final attempt at 147 kg.

The eighth-place finish is particularly important for Poghosyan, as the women's 86 kg category is included in the weightlifting program for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Under the qualification system approved by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), the top eight athletes in each Olympic weight category in the final qualification ranking will secure direct Olympic quota places.

The qualification period will continue until May 7, 2028, with the rankings determined by five counting results — three from the first qualification period and two from the second.

Poghosyan's eighth-place finish at the World Championships therefore represents a promising start to her campaign for an Olympic berth, although it does not yet guarantee qualification.

Armenia's other representative, Liana Gyurjyan, finished without a total. She successfully lifted 102 kg in the snatch but failed all three attempts at 135 kg in the clean and jerk.

2026 World Championships Results — Women's 86 kg

Total

1. Liao Guifang (China) — 291 kg (128+163), world record

2. Alina Marushchak (Bahrain) — 272 kg (123+149)

3. Yudelina Mejia (Dominican Republic) — 266 kg (119+147)

Armenian athletes

• 8th place — Emma Poghosyan: 249 kg (106+143)

• Liana Gyurjyan: No total (102 kg in the snatch)

China's Liao Guifang claimed the world title, setting world records in both the clean and jerk (163 kg) and the total (291 kg).

Poghosyan has therefore completed the first World Championships of the Olympic qualification campaign among the top eight competitors.

The Armenian weightlifter will now aim to maintain her competitive position at upcoming international events as she continues her pursuit of a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.