Olympian and Olympian Andranik Karapetiyan, after obtaining Bosnian citizenship and the right to compete for Bosnia and Herzegovina, visited the premises of the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina once again. We discussed his first impressions of our country, his colleagues in the club, and his future plans.

Question: What are your first impressions of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country, and how did you feel when you first arrived and got to know this country?

“I didn’t know much about Bosnia before I first came. Immediately, I was struck by the hospitality and kindness of the people when I arrived. Everything I have seen so far about this country and its people is extremely positive. Everyone is very helpful, and I receive the best possible support from everyone.”

Question: How did you perceive your reception at the Željezničar Weightlifting Club and the Bosnia and Herzegovina Weightlifting Federation? What does it feel like to be part of a sports community in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

“I knew that weightlifting in Bosnia is still not very successful, but I will be very happy if I can support the country and win medals for Bosnia, my second homeland. I already feel like part of the club and the national team because I was warmly welcomed by everyone.”

Question: What is your impression of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and how do athletes view sports and mutual support?

“I perceive the people in Bosnia as very friendly and warm. Wherever I go and wherever I am introduced, I get very positive impressions. I feel that sports are going in the right direction. Athletes, coaches, and people from the Federation have big goals, and I look forward to being part of their realization.”

Question: What are your impressions of your colleagues, athletes from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with whom you compete or cooperate? How do you see their work and potential?

“They welcomed me very friendly, and I think I can bring a lot of motivation to young athletes and my teammates. I’m glad to be a mentor to athletes and support them on their sports journey. Athletes have potential, but to fully realize it, a lot of work and effort are needed. I hope I can give them support and motivation.”

Question: How do you plan to contribute to the development of weightlifting in Bosnia and Herzegovina through your results and engagement, and how will you help elevate the country’s sports reputation?

“I will try to win many medals for Bosnia. I hope this will bring more attention to weightlifting in the country and in the media and inspire many new athletes to take up this great sport. Only with many young athletes can the sport develop properly and achieve long-term international success.”

Question: How do you see your future contribution to sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in qualifying for major competitions like the Olympic Games, and what message do you have for young athletes in the country?

“Our goal is to win a medal at the 2028 Olympic Games. I want to show athletes what a professional sports career looks like and pass on as much knowledge as possible to help them achieve their careers. Medals are earned through hard work and proper support from the country. I want to be the first medalist from Bosnia at the European or World Championships. That will be my legacy and a gratitude to the Bosnian Federation and the Bosnian nation for their warm acceptance.”

Besides Andranik Karapetiyan, the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina was also visited by Ante Madunić, the director of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national weightlifting team, who discussed Karapetiyan’s inclusion in the Bosnian team.

Question: What are your first impressions of Andranik Karapetiyan, how has he been accepted, and what are the plans for him?

“Our impressions, as can be seen from the satisfaction of our friend, are very positive, and we already consider ourselves a warm family. He has visited us several times, trained, and competed even in Italy. It is a warm, family-like atmosphere where he receives a warm approach, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and within the Olympic Committee of BiH, as he has been here twice, in our Željezničar club and with the entire Federation that supported this project. Until he received his passport, everything was still full of questions, so we expanded the procedure with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers. Throughout this time, he has been with us. With our support, I believe he voluntarily and happily left the Armenian federation. He is now joining the Bosnia and Herzegovina Weightlifting Federation and the Željezničar club and is eager and willing to compete under the Bosnian flag already this year at the World Championship in Norway.”

Question: How did the other members of the Federation welcome him, and will he really be able to learn something from them?

“Many have accepted him, and they are already trying to learn from him; he corrects some mistakes and introduces innovations because he has already competed in national championships and trained with our team, with youth, with girls, and with seniors. During his preparations for the national team, and during his training sessions where he trains alongside our entire team, I believe it is a great encouragement because the young people have become actively involved in this sport. The future, not only of Bosnia and Herzegovina but also of the Federation itself, is now at a different level and rank, especially when you have a candidate who is both European and World champion, and according to the list of candidates, could set new world and European records again — not to mention the Olympics, because this is something for this year. These are results that neither the Federation nor Bosnia and Herzegovina have achieved before, and he is now here with us to motivate young people, expand membership, and elevate the sport to a higher level. These are tickets to competitions, from qualifying norms to his own achievements.”

Question: Can you tell us about the current situation in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Weightlifting Federation?

“In the past year and a half, we have reorganized and legalized the Federation, including the management board, the expert team, and the membership, so everything is now in order, and the Federation functions mostly with its enthusiasm. We are now seeking new opportunities and support funds for this kind of athlete, with major help from Professor Dr. Rađo and the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Support is needed in terms of training, because an athlete of normal national or world-class level requires support in equipment, training, nutrition, and accommodation here, as he is still our citizen and member. Up to now, the Federation has managed on its own, applying for assistance from other sources, but I believe this legalization is a turning point, and now we have a person with fixed results who has some references behind him.”

During his visit to the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haris Durak, the head coach of the national team, also confirmed that the International and European Federations introduced new categories in the sport of weightlifting starting June 1. The world record, or standard, is now 175 kg, and Karapetiyan lifts 178 kg — three kg more. This gives us a great chance for our country to break the world record.