From September 22 to 28 of this year, during the international powerlifting championship held in Malta (in the "Bench Press" category), Armenian representative Grigor Ghahramanyan—3rd-year student of the "Caucasus Studies" program at YSU Faculty of History—secured third place, becoming a bronze medalist.
Grigor Ghahramanyan’s achievement reflects not only his personal determination and diligence, but also the broad range of interests and proactive spirit of students at the Faculty of History.
In a post-competition interview, Grigor shared about his journey to success, the challenges he faced, and his plans for the future: "The competition went better than expected, but it was tough because I didn’t compete in my usual weight category. I was up against heavier and more experienced opponents, which made the challenge even greater. This was my first international tournament, and I had the opportunity to meet athletes from different countries. It was interesting to see their training methods and compare them with mine."
Grigor began training in powerlifting in 2018. He recalls that during his military service in Artsakh, training conditions were extremely limited. Due to the blockade, his coach had even converted his private garage into a makeshift gym.
In 2024, he competed in national championships, earning two silver medals. On April 28, 2025, he won first place in the Armenian Powerlifting Championship. He is currently preparing to set a new national record in his weight category—the current record being 530 kg.
After completing his military service, Grigor chose to study Caucasus studies on purpose; he is fluent in Azerbaijani and aims to deepen his linguistic skills during his academic journey. His research interests include regional issues, with a particular focus on topics related to Azerbaijan.
"Being a student of the History Faculty and having knowledge of my homeland's past, I have learned to stay true to my principles and stand firm. My field of study has played a significant role in shaping my way of thinking," said Grigor.
At present, Grigor is balancing his studies, work, and sport training: "Sport helps me relax, focus, and maintain discipline, which also benefits my studies."
Grigor’s ultimate goal is to pursue a career in his field of study after graduation while continuing to compete at the European and World Championships, aiming for silver and gold medals.
The academic staff and student community of YSU Faculty of History congratulate Grigor Ghahramanyan on his international success and wish him continued achievements in both academics and sport.
