Poghosyan Wins Bronze at the 2026 European Weightlifting Championships

20-year-old Armenian weightlifter Martin Poghosyan won a bronze medal at the 2026 European Championships in the 79 kg weight category. For the young athlete, this marks his first medal at the senior international level.

Poghosyan’s performance was dramatic. After the snatch, he was only in 10th place, but he managed to completely turn the tide in the clean and jerk. Just one successful attempt allowed him to post the second-best result in that lift and climb to third place overall in the combined total.

The European champion was 23-year-old Armenian-born weightlifter Gevorg Serobyan, representing Russia. He not only won gold but also set a new European record in the snatch. The silver medal was claimed by Albanian athlete Briken Celya.

Final Results (79 kg, men):
Gevorg Serobyan (Russia) — 341 kg (161 + 180)
Briken Celya (Albania) — 340 kg (153 + 187)
Martin Poghosyan (Armenia) — 338 kg (152 + 186)

After four days of competition, Armenia’s national team has won three silver medals in total and one bronze.