Arakel Mirzoyan repeated his Gold medal performance from the 2008 Junior European Championships by becoming the Champion of Europe in the 69kg category at the 2009 European Championships. Mirzoyan was successful in lifting 151 kilograms in the snatch, which earned Armenia its' first Gold medal of the tournament. In the Clean and Jerk category, Mirzoyan lifted an unbelievable 185 kilograms, but would only be upstaged by France's Vencelas Debaya with a 186 kilogram lift to leave Mirzoyan with the Silver medal in the Clean and Jerk category. Mirzoyan's 336kg combined lift was three kilograms more than Debaya's 333 who won the silver medal, and six more than Russia's Vladislav Lukanin who earned the Bronze.

Gevorg Kakoyan was also in the same weight class, and having lifted 140 kilograms on his first attempt at the snatch, Kakoyan seemed to have injured his right elbow as he would not be able to make any other lifts the rest of the way. He failed to better his 140kg results as he attempted to lift 145kgs twice and failed. In the Clean and Jerk Kakoyan failed to lift the starting weight of 160kgs and failed to get a score.

In tomorrow's action Meline Daluzyan will attempt to put Armenia on top of the standings with her performance in the Women's 63kg category. Daluzyan swept the Gold medal in the same category at the European Championships last year and looks for a repeat performance. Stay tuned as Sporting-Armenia will carry the event tomorrow.

Please click here to go to the 2009 European Weightlifting Championships page.

2009 European Weightlifting Championships
Men's 69kg - Tuesday April 7th, 20:00		SNATCH	CLEAN/JERK	TOTAL
Arakel Mirzoyan ARM 68.33		145.151.154	180.185.185	336
Dabaya Venceslas FRA 68.34		144.147.149	181.185.186	333
Vladislav Lukanin RUS 68.75		143.147.147	177.183.186	330
Afgan Bayramov AZE 68.46		141.145.147	175.182.186	329
Miculescu Ninel ROU 68.28		145.150.150	173.178.178	323
Ekrem Cilel TUR 68.86		138.142.146	172.172.173	315
Ekrem Agilli TUR 68.83		135.141.146	165.165.165	306
Gevorg Kakoyan ARM68.41		140.145.145	160.160.160	N/A