The first major international weightlifting competition in the COVID-19 era took place from April 3-11, 2021.  Αthletes from all over Europe traveled to Moscow, Russia, to compete face-to-face for the first time in over a year due to delays and rescheduling brought about due to the continuing pandemic.

The Moscow 2021 EWC — originally scheduled for 2020 — was a welcome return to the sport for the athletes present and came with several standout moments from its participants.

Four Mediterranean countries, Turkiye, France, Italy and Albania took medals in the competition.

In the Womens’ A Group sessions, Italy with Alessia Durante took the silver in 71Kg category (219 Kg) as well as France in the 81Kg with Gaelle Nayo Ketchanke, lifting 231 Kg.

Turkiye took two bronze medals from Melisa Gunes in the 45Kg with 151 Kg and Melike Gunal in the +87 with 243 Kg. The French Dora Tchakounte lifted 210 Kg in the 59Kg with and took the bronze.

In the men’s categories, Turkiye Muhammed Ozbek (67 Kg – 323) and Daniyar Ismayilov (71 Kg – 341)climbed on the highest spot of the podium . A gold medal also for Italy with Antonino Pizzolato who lifted 370 Kg in the 81 Kg category.

The Italian Mirko Zanni took the silver in the 67 Kg category with 318 Kg.

Bronze medal for Briken Calja from Albania with 336 Kg in the 73 Kg caterory and also from the Turkish Ferdi Hardal (287 Kg – 61).