---
title: "Three Golds in Durres: Olha Ivzhenko Defends Her U23 European Weightlifting Champion Title"
description: "Olha Ivzhenko won three gold medals at the U23 European Weightlifting Championship in Durres, becoming the absolute champion in the under-61 kg category. Kateryna Malashchuk added another gold for Ukraine in the junior snatch."
date: 2026-10-16T04:55:11.380Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/olha-ivzhenko-three-golds-u23-european-weightlifting-championship
tags: [weightlifting, european-championships, ukraine, u23, olga-yvzhenko, durres, albania]
author: "Andrey Kosynko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Three Golds in Durres: Olha Ivzhenko Defends Her U23 European Weightlifting Champion Title

![Ukrainian weightlifter Olha Ivzhenko holding three gold medals at the U23 European Championship](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/16/olga-ivzhenko-tri-zolota-chempionat-evropy-u23-tyazhelaya-athletika/olga-ivzhenko-tri-zolota-chempionat-evropy-u23-tyazhelaya-athletika-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Olha Ivzhenko won three gold medals at the U23 European Championship in Durres: snatch (94 kg), clean and jerk (121 kg), total (215 kg) in the under-61 kg category
- Ivzhenko successfully defended her absolute European champion title won a year earlier in the under-58 kg category
- Kateryna Malashchuk won gold in the snatch (77 kg) among under-49 kg juniors, but failed to register a lift in the clean and jerk
- The European Weightlifting Championship is held in Durres from October 12 to 19, 2026

Ukrainian weightlifter Olha Ivzhenko has become the absolute European U23 champion, winning three gold medals at the continental championship in Durres, Albania. Competing in the under-61 kg weight category, Ivzhenko claimed victory in all three disciplines — snatch, clean and jerk, and total — which allowed her not only to confirm her status as the strongest in her weight group but also to retain the title she first won last year. This was reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing data from the European Weightlifting Federation published on Instagram.

### Results That Secured First Place

In the snatch event, Ivzhenko confidently lifted a barbell weighing 94 kg, leaving her competitors behind and taking first place. In the clean and jerk, the Ukrainian athlete successfully lifted 121 kg, once again leaving no chance for her rivals. Her total score across both exercises reached 215 kg, securing her third gold medal and the title of absolute U23 European champion. All three attempts in each exercise were approved by judges without remarks, demonstrating the athlete's stability and technical precision over the course of the finals day.

### Title Defense: Moving Up to a Heavier Weight Class

For Ivzhenko, this championship was not just a successful performance, but a full defense of her continental title. A year ago, she also became the absolute European U23 champion, but competed in the under-58 kg weight category. Moving up to the under-61 kg division required restructuring her training process and adapting to new weight limits, yet the outcome — three gold medals — proves that the athlete successfully managed this challenge and maintained her dominant position on the European stage.

### Another Gold for Ukraine: Kateryna Malashchuk's Performance

The second award for the Ukrainian national team at this stage of the championship was brought by Kateryna Malashchuk, competing among juniors in the under-49 kg weight category. In the snatch, Malashchuk lifted a barbell weighing 77 kg and took first place, earning a gold medal in this exercise. However, in the clean and jerk, the Ukrainian weightlifter failed to register a lift, which deprived her of the opportunity to compete for medals in the overall total. Nevertheless, the snatch gold remains a significant achievement for Ukraine's junior national team.

### Championship Progress and Further Team Goals

The continental weightlifting championship is taking place in Durres from October 12 to 19, 2026. At the time of publication, the competition is ongoing, and the Ukrainian team retains chances for additional medals in both the junior and U23 championships. Earlier at the same tournament, Andrii Revco won three medals for Ukraine, which, combined with the results of Ivzhenko and Malashchuk, creates a steady medal run for the national team at the Albanian championship.

### Significance of the Result for Ukrainian Weightlifting

Ivzhenko's triple gold against the backdrop of the ongoing championship highlights the stability of the Ukrainian weightlifting school in youth and junior categories. The ability to defend titles year after year, transition between weight classes without losing competitiveness, and secure podium finishes for multiple athletes across different divisions are indicators of systematic coaching staff work and a solid talent reserve. The remaining days of the championship in Durres could bring additional awards to the Ukrainian team.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Защитила титул абсолютной чемпионки: украинская тяжелоатлетка завоевала три "золота" на чемпионате Европы](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/othersport/zahistila-titul-absolyutnoyi-chempionki-ukrayinska-1792126114.html) - Primary source. Data on Ivzhenko's results (94/121/215 kg) and Malashchuk's (77 kg in snatch) are cited via the European Weightlifting Federation on Instagram. Dates and location (Durres, October 12–19) match the current date of October 16, 2026.

## FAQ

### What results did Olha Ivzhenko show at the U23 European Championship?

In the snatch, Ivzhenko lifted 94 kg, in the clean and jerk — 121 kg, and her total score was 215 kg. She took first place in all three disciplines in the under-61 kg weight category.

### Where and when is the European Weightlifting Championship taking place?

The continental championship is held in Durres, Albania, from October 12 to 19, 2026.

### Who else won a medal for Ukraine at this championship?

Kateryna Malashchuk, competing among juniors in the under-49 kg category, took first place in the snatch with a result of 77 kg and won a gold medal. She did not register a result in the clean and jerk. Earlier, Andrii Revco won three medals at the tournament.

### Is this Ivzhenko's first title at the European Championship?

No. A year ago, Ivzhenko also became the absolute European U23 champion, but competed in the under-58 kg weight category. This championship marked her title defense in a new, heavier weight class.