Nazik Avdalyan

Nazik Avdalyan is an Armenian female weightlifter, World Champion (2009), two-time European Champion, the first Armenian weightlifter to win a World gold medal, and the first Armenian woman to become a world champion in any sport. She is the founder and director of the “Nazik Avdalyan” Sports Development Foundation. A biographical sports drama film “The Other Side of the Medal” about her life premiered in 2024.

Born:

October 31, 1986 - Gyumri, Armenia

Early Life

Born on October 31, 1986, in Gyumri, Armenia, to an engineer father (Vardan Avdalyan) and an accountant mother (Anush Vardanyan). She was the eldest of three siblings. She started weightlifting at the age of 18 and quickly achieved success.

Career Highlights

2009 World Weightlifting Champion (69 kg category, South Korea)
European Champion (2008 and 2010)
Participant in the 2016 Rio Olympics
Multiple national champion and record holder in Armenia
Made a strong comeback after a severe car accident in 2010

Legacy

Nazik Avdalyan is a symbol of Armenian sports, inspiring youth, especially girls. Through her foundation, she develops sports in Armenia and builds sports-education centers. She holds the title of Honored Master of Sports of Armenia.