Today, August 9, in Paris, Armenian weightlifter Andranik Karapetyan will compete in the 89 kg weight category at the Olympic Games. This will be his second appearance at the Olympics, and the road to it has not been easy.
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Andranik went as the reigning European champion and was one of the main contenders for medals in the 77 kg category. In the snatch, he took second place, setting a new European record (174 kg). However, in the clean and jerk, a tragedy awaited him: a serious elbow injury sustained while fighting for medals seemed to have ended his career.
After this injury, many doubted that Karapetyan could return to the sport. However, thanks to his resilience and determination, Andranik not only returned but also managed to make a name for himself again on the world stage. In 2023, at the European Championships in Yerevan, he won a silver medal, allowing him to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris.
The competitions in the 89 kg category will begin today at 16:00 Moscow time (17:00 Yerevan time). This time Andranik Karapetyan is not a clear favorite for medals, although his snatch results remain among the best in the world. However, in the clean and jerk, he lags behind his competitors, largely due to the injury he sustained. Karapetyan could definitely compete for the bronze medal.
The fight for gold in this weight category will be between Bulgarian Karlos Nassar and Colombian Yeison Lopez. Another medal contender, China's Li Dayin, did not come to Paris because China had exceeded its quotas for weightlifting. As a result, the decision was made to send athletes in the 73 kg category. However, this decision was a mistake, as Shi Zhiyong failed to lift the weight in the clean and jerk three times.
For Andranik Karapetyan, this Olympics will be an opportunity to prove again that his talent and hard work can overcome any obstacle. Although he is not the favorite, his experience and willpower make him a serious contender.
You can watch the broadcast of the weightlifting competition on our TELEGRAM CHANNEL.