The men entered the competition on the second day of the 2026 EWF European Youth & U15 Championships in Kosovo, with four titles decided across the U15 and Youth categories.
Moldova made the strongest possible start in the Boys U15 51 kg category, taking both gold and silver.
Tudor CRISTEA went six-for-six on the platform, improving with every attempt. He finished with 83 kg in the Snatch and 101 kg in the Clean & Jerk for a winning Total of 184 kg.
His teammate Ilia COSTIC stayed close throughout the competition and took silver with 181 kg after lifting 82 kg and 99 kg. Georgia’s Irakli KIPIANI completed the podium with 176 kg, recording 79 kg in the Snatch and 97 kg in the Clean & Jerk.
Just one kilogram separated first and second place in the U15 55 kg category.
Sergei NOVOZHILOV, representing Russia, built his victory on a 94 kg Snatch, the best result of the competition in that lift. A 108 kg Clean & Jerk gave him a Total of 202 kg and the European title.
Azerbaijan’s Mahammad RUSTAMLI finished only one kilogram behind on 201 kg after 91 kg in the Snatch and 110 kg in the Clean & Jerk.
Türkiye’s Emin Can AKDAG was another kilogram back. His 93 kg Snatch and 107 kg Clean & Jerk gave him 200 kg and the bronze medal, leaving the top three separated by just two kilograms.
The Youth 55 kg competition belonged to Italy’s Christian DI MARIA.
DI MARIA took the lead with a 106 kg Snatch and remained in control in the Clean & Jerk, where 128 kg was enough to secure gold with a 234 kg Total.
Nicolae CHIHAI of Moldova took silver with 226 kg, combining a 99 kg Snatch with 127 kg in the Clean & Jerk.
Ukraine’s Oleksandr FIIALKO finished third on 212 kg. He lifted 96 kg in the Snatch and 116 kg in the Clean & Jerk to secure the final place on the podium.
Day 2 closed with another competition decided by the narrowest of margins in the U15 60 kg category.
Armenia’s Samvel ADIBEKYAN held the advantage after the Snatch with a best lift of 100 kg, five kilograms ahead of Georgia’s Nugzar MANIA.
MANIA changed the order in the Clean & Jerk. After successful lifts at 116 kg and 119 kg, he made 124 kg on his third attempt. That lift took him to 219 kg in Total and moved him into first place by a single kilogram.
ADIBEKYAN finished with 118 kg in the Clean & Jerk and 218 kg overall for silver, while Azerbaijan’s Isa HUSEYNOV took bronze with 209 kg following lifts of 93 kg and 116 kg.
RESULTS