Briken Calja returned to the medals with a strong performance at the Mediterranean Games, but the victory did not overshadow the crisis he denounced immediately afterward. The Albanian weightlifter not only won medals and broke records, but also publicly raised serious accusations about how, according to him, he has been treated by the Albanian Weightlifting Federation.
Gold, bronze and four records in a major comeback
Calja won the gold medal in the snatch and the bronze medal in the clean and jerk, ending the competition with another major success in his career.
In the snatch, he lifted 154 kilograms, while in total he set four records across the two disciplines. In this event, he recorded marks of 47, 52 and 154 kilograms, as well as another record in the clean and jerk.
For the athlete, the result carried special weight also because of the difficulties he has gone through in recent years and his long absence from competition.
Return after a two-year break
Calja described the medal as a historic result, emphasizing that his return also had a strong personal dimension.
He said he had gone through major problems and had been away from competition for around two years, so returning with a medal at the Mediterranean Games was one of his most important goals.
The athlete thanked his family, supporters, Tirana club, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Education, while also praising legal changes and institutional support as help for this return.
Complaint against the federation: “They did not send the coach”
The strongest point of Calja’s statement was related to his relationship with the Albanian Weightlifting Federation. According to the athlete, support from the federation has left much to be desired, and the decision not to send his coach also caused him psychological harm before the competition.
He said that one of the main problems was precisely the removal of his coach from the event, at a moment when, according to him, this was essential for preparation and peace of mind in competition.
Calja then said the situation was resolved only after the intervention of the Olympic Committee, which, according to his version, made it possible for his coach’s name to be reinstated in the delegation.
A political message from a champion to sports institutions
In his statements, Calja also opposed the approach that, according to him, justifies sidelining athletes with top results in the name of promoting the younger generation.
He said he supports young people and their role in the future of sport, but stressed that this cannot be used to leave in the shadows athletes who have brought international medals and titles.
His final statement was even more direct: according to Calja, the federation’s support for him has been “ridiculous,” an accusation that raises serious questions about how elite sport is administered in the country.
Calja leaves the Mediterranean Games with a gold medal, a bronze medal and four records, but also with a public clash that places the Albanian Weightlifting Federation at the center of attention.
When an athlete with this record speaks openly about a lack of support, the issue no longer remains simply personal: it touches on the standard by which sports institutions treat results, merit and Albania’s representation.