Acclaimed weightlifter Nazik Avdalyan champions youth and community with new sports-education center
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Nazik Avdalyan, the highly decorated weightlifter who made history in 2009 by becoming the first-ever weightlifter from the Republic of Armenia to win gold at a world championship — and the first female athlete from the Republic of Armenia to win gold at a world championship in any sport — has announced the launch of a sports development foundation bearing her name.
The Nazik Avdalyan Sports Development Foundation aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, develop sports infrastructure, and engage all layers of society in both physical and psychological development.
“We believe that every child, teenager, or athlete must have equal opportunities to develop, grow stronger, and succeed, regardless of their living conditions or where they live,” Avdalyan, now retired,said at a press conference.
She explained that the foundation will work to foster a physically and mentally healthy society, where sport is not just a means of achieving victory but also a way to improve quality of life and promote social unity. The foundation’s mission aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on social inclusion, community sustainability, and equal opportunity.
“The first major project will be launched in the village of Panik in Shirak Province, where a modern sports school will be built with all necessary infrastructure in accordance with international standards. This project will not merely be a sports complex but a center for community development and education,” Avdalyan said, emphasizing the urgent need to address the lack of sports infrastructure in Armenia’s provinces.
Avdalyan won gold at the 2009 World Weightlifting Championships in South Korea.
Throughout her career, Avdalyan also won gold at the 2008 and 2016 European championships, as well as silver in 2007 and 2009.