Lasha Talakhadze: Varazdat Lalayan has all the chances to win the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games - if  I am not there

Varazdat Lalayan has all the chances to win the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games—if, of course, I am not there. I have a great desire to return. If I realize that there is even a one percent chance to succeed again, I will not let that opportunity slip from my hands.

This was said to NEWS.am Sport’s correspondent in Batumi by three-time Olympic champion, seven-time world and European champion, legendary weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze, who is currently the president of the Georgian Weightlifting Federation.

From April 19–26, the European Weightlifting Championships are being held in Batumi, the capital of Georgia. Today is the final competition day of the championship, and the super heavyweight athletes will take the platform. For Armenian fans, the men’s super heavyweight competition is the most interesting, as the main favorite for victory is Olympic silver medalist, two-time world and European champion Varazdat Lalayan.

Until the Paris Olympic Games, the undisputed leader in this weight category was Georgian Lasha Talakhadze, who in this championship is not a participant but an organizer. Talakhadze, who is widely recognized in world sport, although he has ended his competitive career, is still thinking about returning to elite sport.

Before the start of the main event of the championship—the super heavyweight competition—NEWS.am Sport’s correspondent spoke with the legendary weightlifter.

“Lasha, thank you for finding time in this busy schedule. You are in the position of federation president and organizer at this championship. How do you evaluate the progress of the championship and the participation of athletes from the federation you lead?”

“We Georgians are maximalists; we like everything to be at the highest level. As president of the federation, we always demand maximum from our weightlifters, but they do not always manage to achieve it. I think our athletes did everything they could in this championship and fought until the end. As for the championship itself, I think everything is going wonderfully. We have tried to organize and hold a championship, a sports celebration, that will remain in memory forever. I strongly hope that the European Federation is satisfied with the championship we organized. Soon the competition will end, and I hope the official evaluation of our work will be positive and everyone will leave Georgia satisfied.”

Is it easier to be an organizer of the European Championship or a participant and winner?

“Personally, I would prefer to stand on the platform and do what I have done for years—compete, struggle, what I know best. As federation president, I do not have less responsibility, because I am responsible for everything and everyone, for the athletes and their future, as well as for the future of this sport in our country.”

These days you rarely leave the competition hall. Do you miss the platform? Do you feel the desire to go back and compete again? Is a comeback possible?

“I certainly want to return, but it is interesting—would you like me to return? I am joking (laughs). In reality, I really want to; I miss everything happening in the competition hall at the moment—the platform, the struggle, the competition. I have been on the platform for 13 years without missing almost any competition, which was not so long ago. I was already physically and mentally very tired. If I realize that there is even a one percent chance of returning and succeeding again, I will not let that opportunity slip and I will definitely return. At the moment I already feel that I have finally rested and regained my strength, so time will tell.”

Today athletes of your weight category will step onto the platform. After that competition, could something change “inside you”? Varazdat Lalayan will compete. Would you like to compete with him again?

“Nothing will happen to me during this one day, nothing will change in my plans. I am a big fan of Varazdat Lalayan. He is an excellent weightlifter. I would very much like us to have such a successful athlete in the super heavyweight category, but we do not.

My main favorite is Varazdat Lalayan, and for me he is number one in Europe. At the World Championship I also support Gor Minasyan, who now represents Bahrain. I support both of them very much and wish them the highest achievements.”

What do you think awaits Varazdat Lalayan at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games?

“As of today, Lalayan has all the chances to win in Los Angeles—if, of course, I am not there. Lalayan is a very strong weightlifter, and I believe he has no rivals. I am fully confident that in Los Angeles, Varazdat Lalayan will win the Olympic gold medal.

In general, for me the Armenian weightlifting team is one of the strongest. You have excellent athletes. In the 110 kg category as well you have very good weightlifters. Garik Karapetyan and Simon Martirosyan are shining; they are very strong athletes. I also support them. It is no coincidence that the battle for the gold medal in European Championships has often taken place between these two athletes.

Besides being rivals, you are also good friends with Varazdat Lalayan. How did this friendship outside the platform begin?

“Lalayan is a very close person to me. Last summer I was a guest in Armenia with my family; I visited Gyumri. Varazdat Lalayan and the other guys have always been my friends. I have always had very warm, friendly relations with the entire Armenian team, and I still do.

We Georgians are known for our hospitality. Armenians and Armenia are also known for warm reception, which I experienced during my visit. Those were wonderful days for me.”

Lusine Shahbazyan - from Batumi