Armenia Announces Squad for the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships

Armenia has announced its squad for the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships, which will take place from October 27 to November 8 in Ningbo, China. The country will be represented by 13 athletes — eight men and five women.

The squad includes several of Armenia's leading weightlifters, including Varazdat Lalayan, Garik Karapetyan, and Gor Sahakyan. However, longtime national team leader and two-time Olympic silver medalist Simon Martirosyan (110 kg) will miss the World Championships.

Armenia's Squad for the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships

Men (8 athletes):

• 65 kg: Garnik Cholakyan

• 75 kg: Gor Sahakyan, Tigran Karapetyan

• 85 kg: Rafik Harutyunyan, Martin Poghosyan

• 95 kg: David Hovhannisyan

• 110 kg: Garik Karapetyan

• Over 110 kg: Varazdat Lalayan

The men's national team is led by head coach Hakob Pilosyan, assisted by David Muradyan.

Women (5 athletes):

• 57 kg: Alexandra Grigoryan

• 77 kg: Anna Amroyan, Alina Sukiasyan

• 86 kg: Emma Poghosyan, Liana Gyurjyan

The women's national team is led by head coach Artashes Nersisyan, assisted by Taron Tovmasyan.

Armenian Weightlifters Representing Other Countries

In addition to Armenia's national team members, three athletes of Armenian descent will compete at the World Championships representing other countries:

• Andranik Karapetyan (85 kg) — Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Gevorg Serobyan (85 kg) — Russia

• Gor Minasyan (over 110 kg) — Bahrain

Particular attention will be focused on the super-heavyweight category, where Varazdat Lalayan will compete. His potential rivals include Gor Minasyan and legendary Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze.

The three-time Olympic champion has been included in Georgia's squad after missing the previous season. As a result, Ningbo could host another highly anticipated showdown between some of the world's strongest super-heavyweight lifters.

The 2026 World Championships will serve as the first weightlifting qualification event on the road to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.