The Armenian Weightlifting Federation has decided to reward the best athletes and coaches of the national team from its own funds following the triumphant performance at the 2025 European Weightlifting Championships. The total prize fund amounted to 11,000,000 drams.
During a meeting with the men’s and women’s national teams, Federation President Araik Harutyunyan congratulated the athletes on their brilliant performance and victories in the team rankings, and expressed his gratitude:
“We’ve achieved excellent results, but many challenges lie ahead — preparing for the 2027 World Championships in Yerevan and the 2028 Olympic Games. The Moldovan stage showed us that there’s still room for improvement. Special thanks to our head and personal coaches, doctors, and the Federation’s general secretary,” said Harutyunyan.
Financial rewards were given not only to the athletes but also to members of the coaching and medical staff:
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Head coach of the men’s team — Pashik Alaverdyan
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Coach of the men’s team — Hakob Pilosyan
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Head coach of the women’s team — Artashes Nersisyan
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Coach of the women’s team — Taron Tovmasyan
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Team doctor — Davit Mosinyan
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Masseur — Roza Hovhannisyan
The Federation president also announced the launch of a new initiative — the training of international referees.
“We intend to strengthen our refereeing corps and have already begun the necessary steps,” he added.
Special rewards were presented to the European Championship medalists:
European Champions: Varazdat Lalayan, Garik Karapetyan
Medalists: Gor Saakyan, Rafik Harutyunyan, Anna Amroyan, Liana Gyurjyan, Alexandra Grigoryan, Garnik Cholakyan, Milena Khachatryan, Tatev Akopyan, Davit Oganesyan
European champions Varazdat Lalayan (+109 kg) and Garik Karapetyan (109 kg) received 1 million drams each.
Silver medalists Gor Saakyan (73 kg), Simon Martirosyan (109 kg), Alexandra Grigoryan (55 kg), Rafik Harutyunyan (81 kg), Liana Gyurjyan (87 kg), and Anna Amroyan (76 kg) were each awarded 500,000 drams.
Bronze medalists Garnik Cholakyan (61 kg) and Davit Oganesyan (96 kg) received 300,000 drams, while small medal holders Milena Khachatryan (76 kg) and Tatev Akopyan received 200,000 drams.
To conclude, Araik Harutyunyan awarded the honorary title of “National Judge” to two-time European champion Hripsime Khurshudyan and long-time national team member Garnik Abrahamyan, emphasizing the importance of high-level officiating for the continued international success of Armenian athletes.
The Armenian men’s and women’s national teams took first place in the team rankings at the 2025 European Weightlifting Championships, winning 10 major medals and a total of 27 medals.