Young weightlifter from Balti Ecaterina Grabucea won a silver medal at the Junior and U23 European Weightlifting Championships, in the up to 45kg weight class. Another Moldovan athlete, Iulian Betca, finished fourth with the general score, in the up to 55 kg class in U20, IPN reports.

Ecaterina Grabucea, who is trained by Igor Grabucea, lifted 60 kg in snatch and 73 km in clean and jerk and the total of 133 kg enabled her to rank second.

Sergiu Crețu’s and Maxim Cojocaru’s pupil Iulian Betca, of the Chisinau Weightlifting School, lifted 99 kg  in snatch, ranking second, and 115 kg in clean and jerk, finishing fourth with a total of 214 kg.

Moldova’s squad at the Junior and U23 European Weightlifting Championships held in Bucharest during July 26 - August 3 consists of 16 athletes. The participation in the event is financially supported by the Ministry of Education and Research.

The Ministry said the athletes and coaches will receive money awards at the Sports Gala.