The 2026 EWF European Youth & U15 Championships came to an end on Thursday, 27 August, after eight days of competition in Kosovo.
Three Youth categories remained on the programme for the final day, with Spain, Italy and Georgia taking the last European titles of the Championships.
The first event of the day M YO 95 belonged to Spain’s Erik Ismael GUADAMUD PICO.
The Spanish lifter opened his record count with 150 kg in the Snatch, establishing a new European Youth record.
He continued in the Clean & Jerk with 181 kg, which was itself a European Youth record, before improving the mark to 190 kg with his second attempt.
The same lifts also moved the European Youth Total record first to 331 kg and finally to 340 kg.
GUADAMUD PICO therefore finished the Championships with gold and European Youth records in the Snatch, Clean & Jerk and Total.
Armenia took both remaining places on the podium. Alen KHACHATRYAN finished second with 313 kg after 142 kg and 171 kg, while Alen ZURABYAN took bronze with 307 kg, combining 133 kg in the Snatch with 174 kg in the Clean & Jerk.
Italy’s Sara DAL BO won the title in the Youth Women +77 kg category.
DAL BO finished with 99 kg in the Snatch before adding 124 kg in the Clean & Jerk for a winning Total of 223 kg.
Sudenaz YILMAZ of Türkiye took silver with 218 kg, following lifts of 98 kg and 120 kg.
Only one kilogram separated second and third place, with Georgia’s Nini KOMLADZE finishing on 217 kg after 96 kg in the Snatch and 121 kg in the Clean & Jerk.
The Youth Men +95 kg brought two new European Youth records and a Georgian one-two finish for conclusion of the champinships.
Poland’s Kacper PIECH set the pace in the Snatch, lifting 157 kg for a new European Youth record.
Khvicha KITSMARIDZE of Georgia followed with 151 kg, while his teammate Nikoloz KURTANIDZE finished the first half of the competition on 150 kg.
KURTANIDZE then changed the order in the Clean & Jerk. He progressed through 181 kg and 188 kg before making 195 kg on his third attempt, setting another European Youth record.
That lift took him to 345 kg in Total and the European title.
KITSMARIDZE secured silver with 338 kg, while PIECH’s 337 kg was enough for bronze.
The final medal presentation also brought together three distinguished figures from the international weightlifting and Olympic movement.
The European Weightlifting Federation was honoured to have the medals presented by Dr. Astrit Hasani, President of the European Weightlifting Federation; Besim Hasani, Honorary President of the Kosovo Olympic Committee and recipient of the Olympic Order; and Mohammed Jalood, President of the International Weightlifting Federation.
Final Team Classification
Women U15
| Rank | Nation | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Türkiye | 589 |
| 2 | Russia | 540 |
| 3 | Poland | 434 |
| 4 | Belarus | 381 |
| 5 | Italy | 296 |
| 6 | Romania | 250 |
Men U15
| Rank | Nation | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | 544 |
| 2 | Russia | 431 |
| 3 | Türkiye | 421 |
| 4 | Bulgaria | 369 |
| 5 | Azerbaijan | 361 |
| 6 | Armenia | 308 |
Women Youth
| Rank | Nation | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Türkiye | 554 |
| 2 | Russia | 469 |
| 3 | Italy | 402 |
| 4 | Romania | 372 |
| 5 | Ukraine | 291 |
| 6 | France | 282 |
Men Youth
| Rank | Nation | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Armenia | 551 |
| 2 | Georgia | 538 |
| 3 | Türkiye | 537 |
| 4 | Russia | 525 |
| 5 | Spain | 440 |
| 6 | Poland | 417 |
Final Medal Standings – U15
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Türkiye | 10 | 7 | 8 | 25 |
| 2 | Armenia | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 |
| 3 | Ukraine | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | Georgia | 5 | 6 | 4 | 15 |
| 5 | Poland | 4 | 7 | 2 | 13 |
| 6 | Russia | 4 | 3 | 6 | 13 |
| 7 | Azerbaijan | 3 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
| 8 | Moldova | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| 9 | Hungary | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | Spain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | Sweden | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | Bulgaria | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| 13 | Romania | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 14 | Israel | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | Belarus | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| 16 | Albania | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 17 | France | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 17 | Italy | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 17 | Portugal | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Final Medal Standings – Youth
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | 9 | 8 | 3 | 20 |
| 2 | Türkiye | 8 | 13 | 9 | 30 |
| 3 | Romania | 6 | 4 | 2 | 12 |
| 4 | Italy | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 5 | Russia | 5 | 4 | 4 | 13 |
| 6 | Moldova | 3 | 6 | 2 | 11 |
| 7 | Albania | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 8 | Spain | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 9 | Belarus | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 10 | Armenia | 1 | 6 | 6 | 13 |
| 11 | Poland | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 12 | Belgium | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 13 | Ukraine | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| 14 | Germany | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 15 | Azerbaijan | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 16 | Bulgaria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 16 | Great Britain | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
The European Weightlifting Federation would like to thank all athletes, coaches, National Federations, Technical Officials, volunteers and members of the Local Organising Committee for their contribution to the successful delivery of the Championships.
Over eight days in Kosovo, Europe’s young lifters had the opportunity to compete on the continental stage, many of them for the first time, and to gain experience that will remain important as they continue their development in the sport.
The EWF also extends its appreciation to the hosts in Kosovo for their hospitality and organisation throughout the week.
With the final medals awarded and the competition officially closed, the EWF congratulates every athlete who took part in the 2026 European Youth & U15 Championships and looks forward to welcoming them again at future European competitions.