The European Weightlifting Championship was opened in Batumi, with 250 athletes from 45 countries participating, on April 20, 2026. The championship started on April 19 and will end on April 26. It is noteworthy that Georgia hosts the main continental weightlifting competition for the third time.
A part of the opening ceremony was dedicated to Georgian folklore, presentation of the country’s history, and awarding outstanding weightlifters.
Participants of the event:
- Georgian Sports Minister Shalva Gogoladze,
- President of the National Olympic Committee Leri Khabelov,
- First Vice President Elguja Berishvili,
- Vice President Anzor Chubinidze,
- Chairman of the Government of Adjara Sulkhan Tamazashvili,
- Representatives of the Georgian Government and Parliament,
- Heads of the European Weightlifting Federation
- Delegations of countries participating in the championship,
- Olympic R champion prize winners,
- Other guests.
Speakers of the event:
- Georgian Sports Minister Shalva Gogoladze,
- Chairman of the Adjara Government Sulkhan Tamazashvili,
- President of the European Weightlifting Federation Astrid Hasan,
- President of the National Weightlifting Federation of Georgia,
- three-time Olympic champion Lasha Talakhadze.
At the opening ceremony, the European Weightlifting Federation (EWF) awarded the International Association of Sports Journalists (AIPS) – “Europe’s Rising Star” award to Albanian and Ukrainian athletes.The best female and male weightlifters of Europe in 2025 will also be awarded. Norwegian Solfried Koanda was named best among women, Bulgarian Carlos Nassar among men.
EWF awarded Georgian National Team’s Head Coach Giorgi Asanidze with the European Weightlifting Federation’s Highest Award – Golden Star of Sports Honor for his exceptional contribution to the development of weightlifting.
Lasha Talakhadze presented the awards of the National Weightlifting Federation of Georgia to the Minister of Sport Shalva Gogoladze, the Chairman of the Adjara Government Sulkhan Tamazashvili, and the President of the European Federation, Astrid Hassan, for their support in the preparation of the European Championship.
