Gold for Moldova: Marin Robu becomes European weightlifting champion

Weightlifter Marin Robu (26 years old) has, for the first time, become European champion, achieving an exceptional performance at the continental competition. The athlete from Nisporeni totaled 373 kg, a result that earned him the gold medal and the European title.

President Maia Sandu sent a congratulatory message, in which she notes that the result achieved by Marin Robu is inspiring and confirms that Moldova has high-performance sportspeople.

“Today, we celebrate the European champion title and the continental record set by weightlifter Marin Robu. It is the result of sustained effort and dedication that inspires us all. His performance once again shows that we have sportspeople capable of carrying our tricolor to the highest podiums. Congratulations, Marin!” the President wrote on her Facebook page.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu highlighted the athlete’s hard work and perseverance:

“Marin Robu brings European gold home. A hard-earned result, step by step, year after year, and today the confirmation comes: European gold, with a total of 373 kg and a European snatch record of 173 kg. This title clearly shows what perseverance and ambition carried through to the end really mean. Congratulations, Marin Robu!”

On the podium, Robu finished ahead of Georgian Zurab Mskhaladze (363 kg) and Bosnian Andranik Karapetyan (361 kg), confirming his status as one of the most valuable weightlifters of his generation.

His performance was crowned by a historic moment in the snatch event, during which Marin Robu set a new European record with 173 kg.

Over the past few years, the Moldovan sportsman has been constantly among the continental elite, winning silver at the 2021 and 2025 European Championships, bronze in 2023 and 2024, and claiming three bronze medals at the World Championships. At the most recent edition of the Olympic Games, Robu ranked fourth.