Albanian weightlifter Desjana Koni, representing Partizani, won two bronze medals at the Balkan Championship taking place in Durrës.

She placed third in the clean and jerk and in the total for the 53 kg category. Koni lifted 164 kg overall.

In the snatch, she finished fourth, lifting 71 kg on her first attempt, 74 kg on her second, and missing 77 kg on her third. She showed more precision in the clean and jerk: 85 kg, 88 kg, and 90 kg. These lifts secured her the bronze medal in the discipline and in the total.

Her coach at Partizani, Ervis Tabaku, also earned credit for the strong performance.

The result signals a strong comeback for Albanian weightlifting. On Wednesday, the spotlight turns to the duel between Briken Calja and Erkand Qerimaj in the 79 kg category, where more medals are expected for Albania.

The Balkan Weightlifting Championship features 69 athletes from eight regional countries.

The event returns to Albania after 38 years.

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