Ukraine Shines at the 2026 European Weightlifting Championships
The 2026 European Weightlifting Championships, held in Batumi, saw Ukraine’s national team finish fifth in the overall medal standings. However, the women’s squad delivered an outstanding performance, securing the top spot in the team rankings with 463 points. In total, Ukrainian lifters brought home 3 gold, 2 silver, and 7 bronze medals.
This event marked a significant milestone for Ukrainian athletes. While Armenia claimed the most medals and topped the overall team leaderboard, Ukraine’s fifth-place finish in the combined medal tally highlights the depth of their talent. The championships served as a key platform for the country’s weightlifters to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Standout Performances by Ukrainian Lifters
Among the most notable achievements, Kamila Konotop emerged as the absolute European champion in the under-58 kg category. She swept gold in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total, earning her fourth career European championship title—following previous victories in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Other key results from the team include:
- Kateryna Malashchuk (under 48 kg): one silver and two bronze medals;
- Olga Ivzhenko (under 58 kg): a silver medal;
- Iryna Dombrovska (under 77 kg): three bronze medals in snatch, clean and jerk, and total;
- Vladyslav Prylypko (over 110 kg): a small bronze in the clean and jerk for a third-place finish.
Ukraine’s final medal count stood at 3 gold, 2 silver, and 7 bronze. The top individual performances in the total were: gold for Kamila Konotop (221 kg), silver for Kateryna Malashchuk (172 kg), and bronze for Iryna Dombrovska (243 kg).
In the overall medal standings for Euro-2026, Armenia led with 8 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze), followed by Bulgaria (5 medals) in second and Turkey in third. Ukraine placed fifth with 3 medals (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).
This success underscores not only the technical skill of Ukraine’s weightlifting team but also their resilience and dedication, as they continue to achieve strong results on the international stage despite challenging circumstances.
Such accomplishments play a vital role in promoting weightlifting across Ukraine and inspiring future generations of athletes.
In addition to the team's remarkable success, individual performances greatly contributed to Ukraine's overall achievements at the championships. Notably, Kamila Konotop's fourth European title stands out as a highlight, showcasing her dominance in the under-58 kg category. Her victories not only uplifted the team but also emphasized the strength of Ukraine's weightlifting talent on the European stage.