Oxen Mirzoyan ZMS in weightlifting. Olympic champion (1988) in the 56 kg weight category. Date of Birth: 11.06.1961 Country: Armenia

Biography of Oksen Mirzoyan

Oksen Mirzoyan, a renowned Soviet weightlifter, coach, and four-time USSR champion, was born in the village of Angehakot in the Sisian region of the Armenian SSR. His family relocated to the village of Bagramyan in the Echmiadzin region in 1965. In 1977, he began training in weightlifting under the guidance of Ashot Vilasyan and achieved the title of USSR Master of Sports the following year.

In 1981, Mirzoyan won the World Youth Championship, which led to his inclusion in the USSR national team. The following year, he became the champion of the world and Europe in Moscow, setting new world records in the clean and jerk and total exercises. Mirzoyan was poised to compete in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles but was unable to participate due to the Soviet Union's decision to boycott the Games.

Shortly after the Olympics, he twice improved his world achievements in the clean and jerk at the Friendship-84 tournament. In the Seoul Olympic Games, Mirzoyan initially placed second, but Bulgarian athlete Mitko Grablev, who won first place, was later disqualified for doping. As a result, the title of Olympic champion was awarded to Mirzoyan.

In 1991, Oksen Mirzoyan retired from his athletic career and transitioned into public and coaching work. From 1998 to 2004, he served as the president of the Armenian Weightlifting Federation and head coach of the national team. Since 2004, he has been the vice president of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia and the director of the Yerevan Sports School for Weightlifting.

Mirzoyan continues to train his son, Arakel Mirzoyan, who became the European champion in 2009, as well as his nephew, Araik Mirzoyan, the European junior champion in 2008. Oksen Mirzoyan's contributions to weightlifting and his success as an athlete and coach have solidified his place as a legend in the sport.