Hripsime Khurshudyan’s remarkable journey as a weightlifting champion
Hripsime Khurshudyan is an Armenian weightlifter who has won numerous medals in international championships. Her Instagram bio summarizes it best: “2009 world senior medalist, world youth medalist, Olympic bronze medalist, EWC Champion 2x, EWC Silver 2x, EWC bronze 3x, 2023 IWF Grand Prix.”
For me, Khurshudyan is a symbol of not just physical strength but also incredible mental power and determination. Despite being officially disqualified from the Olympics after a doping test, accused of stanozolol use and stripped of the Olympic medal, she found the strength within herself to go back to weightlifting, win new medals and prove that her victories were determined by her hard work and perseverance.
In this interview with Khurshudyan, we discuss her journey in weightlifting since the age of 15, the biggest challenges she has encountered, the nuances of weightlifting as a woman, her success formula and her vision for the future.
Milena Baghdasarayn (M.B.): What inspired you to pursue weightlifting, and what has helped you stay in this difficult and demanding sport?
Hripsime Khurshudyan (H.K.): I’ve always been a sports enthusiast, but I hadn’t pinpointed the exact sport I wanted to pursue. By pure chance, I found myself in weightlifting, and the training has kept me hooked in ways that are uniquely fulfilling. Despite weightlifting for women being underdeveloped in Armenia, I took it up and have never looked back. It’s a decision I’m proud of, one that has shaped my journey in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
M.B.: How did you feel after your first victory in an international competition? Many people attempt weightlifting, but only a few achieve international success. What was the key to your success?
H.K.: My first international victory was an unforgettable experience. I must admit, I was incredibly nervous, as it was my first time competing on such a large stage. The tension was high, but when I won the medal, everything changed. At that moment, I realized that this sport was truly for me. It became clear that I needed to pursue it professionally, not just as a hobby.
M.B.: When preparing for competitions, it is essential to focus not only on physical training but also on mental and emotional preparation. How do you get ready mentally? Do you follow a specific strategy or approach?
H.K.: The Armenian word for weightlifting [ծանրամարտ] itself suggests that you need to fight against the weight. It’s true that not everyone can build a bond with the barbell. This is why many people can’t overcome the challenges and end up quitting the sport. As for me, it’s likely my love for this sport that has kept me going, and I couldn’t be happier about that. Love and willpower have been my driving forces to stay in this sport. The formula is to never look back and always aim to move forward. No matter what happens, you must mentally overcome all obstacles and ignore any negative voices. Move ahead by believing in yourself.
M.B.: You mentioned previously that you have become more sensitive in recent times. At the European Weightlifting Championships, we saw a fragile and emotional Hripsime. What do you believe has contributed to this change in your personality, and do you think emotions harm or help in sports?
H.K.: I would describe myself as someone with a fiery and emotional personality. This trait serves as both a strength and a challenge. Since becoming a mother, my emotions have intensified. While I’ve always been emotional, the experience feels different now. Looking back, I would only feel deeply during losses, but now I find myself becoming emotional during both victories and defeats and even when someone speaks to me loudly. I feel these emotions more easily and deeply, and I attribute this change to motherhood.
M.B.: What has been the most significant challenge you’ve faced during your career, and how did you overcome it?
H.K.: Throughout my 25 years in the field, I have faced two significant challenges, both due to injuries. The first was in 2011 when I broke my arm during the World Championship. At that time, with the Olympic Games just six months away, no one believed I could recover and compete, let alone win a medal. It was a true challenge, but with my strong will, I moved forward and aimed to achieve my goal. I told myself I had to go to the Olympics, because I had earned that spot, and no one could stop me. I went and proved it.
The second challenge occurred this year at the European Championship when I sustained another serious injury, damaging my leg. At first, I couldn’t train at all, and I started to consider giving up on competitions. I hadn’t trained at all during the last training. However, my loved ones, especially my husband and personal trainer, believed in my abilities and my strong will. They reminded me that I deserved their trust, and that gave me the strength to continue. They expressed their belief in me and my abilities, even under those circumstances. This encouragement inspired me. In the end, I participated in the competition, and thank God, I returned with a medal once again.
M.B.: There was a time in your life when you had to take a break from competing due to disqualification. Another athlete in your situation might have felt discouraged and never returned to weightlifting. How did you find the strength to dedicate yourself to the sport with renewed passion and effort? What did that break teach you?
H.K.: Dear Milena, you are absolutely right. Not every athlete can withstand such a blow, whether mentally or physically. When an athlete is disqualified, it is often seen as the end of their career, because they are not allowed to showcase their strength on the international stage. I was one of those athletes. I faced significant struggles when I was supposed to compete in my third Olympic Games and win a medal. Things unfortunately didn’t go as planned, causing my career to pause for a while. For me, that period felt like a standstill, because sport was my life. I lived and breathed it.
Somehow, I discovered a deep well of strength within myself. I set everything else aside and began to recognize who my true friends were. I understood my goals, and once again, I felt the desire to return to the world of competitive sports. I was eagerly awaiting 2020, hoping they would announce that I could return to professional sports.
M.B.: Some believe that weightlifting is a sport intended for men. When we look at you, we see a beautiful, feminine and emotional woman and mother who embodies qualities typically associated with femininity. How do you respond to the belief that only men should engage in weightlifting, and how have you managed to maintain such grace and femininity while lifting heavy weights?
H.K.: You are absolutely right. Weightlifting is often perceived as a sport for men, but this viewpoint is mainly held in Armenia. When you attend international competitions, you’ll notice that there are often more female athletes than male.
A woman should always embrace her femininity, no matter the sport she practices. If you’ve noticed, I’ve made it a point to coordinate my outfits, hairstyles and even nail colors at competitions to showcase beauty and challenge the stereotype that a girl in sports can’t still be feminine. My hope is that after my journey, our young female athletes will continue to embrace their femininity, making weightlifting an even more popular sport among girls.
M.B.: What are you currently focused on, what role does sport play in your life today, and what vision do you hold for the future?
H.K.: At present, it has been almost eight months since I last engaged in my beloved sport. Instead, I am focused on coaching. I have students preparing for the championship, and there is considerable interest from both girls and boys. When they hear that Hripsime Khurshudyan is their coach, they become even more excited to join, which makes me very happy. While I primarily focus on coaching, I would also like to find another job in a different field and see myself in a new role.
M.B.: What piece of advice would you like to share with the young people who are just beginning their journey in weightlifting?
H.K.: I have expressed in my interviews that I am always ready and available to support the girls on the national weightlifting team. I am eager to share my advice and experiences with them, helping them to advance further in their journey. Weightlifting should never be a forgotten legacy.
Milena Baghdasaryan
Latest posts by Milena Baghdasaryan (see all)
- Following Gagik Ginosyan’s “dance-woven” footsteps - February 19, 2025
- Arman Peshtmaljyan’s “Best Folk Song” nomination at the World Entertainment Awards - February 11, 2025
- Meet the founder of the top modern Armenian-Arabic cuisine in Dubai - January 14, 2025
