Albania has a new rising star in the world of weightlifting. Seventeen-year-old Enkileda Carja delivered a stunning performance at the European Under-17 Weightlifting Championships in Madrid, securing three gold medals and breaking five European records along the way.
Carja made her mark early in the snatch discipline. She opened with a lift of 91 kg, immediately setting a European record for her age group. Not settling there, she followed it up with an even stronger lift of 93 kg, further improving the record. Though she narrowly missed at 95 kg in her third attempt, her 93 kg lift was enough to win her the first gold medal of the competition.
In the clean and jerk, Carja once again demonstrated her extraordinary talent and composure. She successfully lifted 109 kg on her first attempt, breaking yet another European record. Then, she pushed the bar even higher—literally—with a 111 kg lift, securing another record and her second gold medal of the day. Despite a miss at 114 kg in her final attempt, her dominance was undeniable.
Combining both lifts, Carja achieved a total of 204 kg, which not only earned her the third gold medal, but also placed her far ahead of all her competitors, raising the Albanian flag proudly at the top of the podium.
This remarkable feat adds yet another golden chapter to Albania’s weightlifting legacy, as the country continues to develop world-class talent and achieve success on the international stage.
With such an explosive start to her career, Enkileda Carja is not only a European champion but also a powerful symbol of Albania's bright sporting future.