Armenian weightlifter Hakob Mkrtchyan announced his retirement.

The Armenian Weightlifting Federation reported that 28-year-old world champion Hakob Mkrtchyan has ended his sports career.

Mkrtchyan entered history as one of only five world champions in weightlifting representing independent Armenia. Alongside him, Varazdat Lalayan, two-time champion Simon Martirosyan, Tigran Martirosyan, and Nazik Avdalyan have also claimed this title.

The gold medal at the 2019 World Championships became the athlete’s main achievement. At that time, the 22-year-old Mkrtchyan was considered a rising star of Armenian weightlifting. However, a series of injuries seriously affected his career. After moving up to a heavier weight category, he was unable to perform at his previous level, but managed to win gold at the 2024 European Championships in the 96 kg category.

Mkrtchyan was not included in Armenia’s national team for the 2025 World Championships in Norway, and shortly after announced his retirement.