Lalayan on his 2026 Worlds bronze: “Even in that condition, I was capable of winning”

Varazdat Lalayan, a bronze medallist at the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships, reflected on his performance at the tournament in China. The Armenian super-heavyweight revealed that injuries had forced him to miss two months of preparation, leaving him short of the form he needed.

Nevertheless, Lalayan believes he could still have challenged for victory and defended his world title under those circumstances.

“The World Championships were unsuccessful for our entire team from the outset. Personally, I probably did not have enough time to prepare. I missed two months because of injuries and did not manage to get into shape. But the way I competed showed that even in that condition, I was capable of beating my opponents. Something was missing, and I could not defend my title,” Lalayan said.

The weightlifter noted that his rivals’ results had come as no surprise and congratulated the athletes from Iraq and Iran on their medals.

“I will prepare for the upcoming tournaments, and I hope things will go better. I expected results like these from my opponents and was ready to compete against them. Congratulations to the representatives of Iraq and Iran on winning their medals. Time will tell the rest,” he added.

The first Olympic qualification tournament will begin in Doha on December 7.

At the World Championships, Lalayan claimed bronze in the total with 457 kg (210+247). The Armenian athlete also won silver in the snatch and bronze in the clean and jerk.

His bronze in the combined total was Armenia’s only total medal at the tournament.

Iraq’s Ali Rubayawi became world champion with a total of 466 kg (211+255). Lalayan finished nine kilograms behind the winner.