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The 2025 European Championships were supposed to be Marin Robu's big day; the first international win of his career. But for what may as well have been the hundredth time, things didn't go his way.
At the time of competition, the cartilage in Marin's knee was torn to pieces.
- Remind Me: Robu led the field in the 89KG category on his home turf of Chisinau, Moldova. In a stunning upset, he placed second to Germany's Raphael Friedrich.
For Marin, misfortune is familiar territory. After the 2024 Olympics, he departed Paris unadorned by a bronze medal he—and much of the weightlifting world—felt he'd earned fair and square.
Robu is gearing up to compete at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships in Forde, Norway. He's one of a handful of athletes we're speaking to as the competition nears.
We didn't ask Marin, a famously hard worker, whether he thinks he's got bad luck. But we did want to know about his knee surgery, his prep for Worlds, and his ongoing petition to have Antonino Pizzolato's medal revoked.
As recently as this month, Marin and Nino met face-to-face. Here's our conversation with Moldova's best and brightest, Marin Robu.
Weightlifting House x Marin Robu
Below is our exclusive interview with Moldova's Marin Robu. Portions of this interview have been lightly edited for clarity.
On the European Champs
"I knew there would be some problems."
Weightlifting House (WH): What happened at the European Championships?
Marin Robu (MR): "I was really surprised. I knew I would do more in the snatch [than Friedrich] to leave him behind. This would give me confidence in the clean & jerk, even though I was having knee issues.
But after he snatched 171KG, I knew there would be some problems."
On the Paris Controversy
"In 3 months, there will be a verdict."
WH: After Paris, you appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to have Antonino Pizzolato's bronze medal revoked on your behalf. What is the status of that case today?
MR: "On Sep. 2nd, we had the final meeting. Both he and I were physically present.
Everything that happened [at the Olympics] was analyzed, and within 45 days we will have an answer. In a maximum of 3 months, there will be a final verdict."
On the World Weightlifting Championships
"I'm at 90% and I have a month left."
WH: You're on the entry list for Worlds. What are you doing to recover and get back in shape in time?
MR: "I can call myself a hard worker because, with little time left, I am trying to recover as fast as possible through a multitude of exercises.
I can also say it's working, since I'm at 90% and I have a month left."
On Surgery
"I tore the cartilage in my right knee to pieces."
WH: You recently had knee surgery. Was it due to an accident, or did the problem develop over time?
MR: "It happened 45 days before the European Championships. I tore the cartilage in my right knee into four pieces, the same knee that has been operated on once before, and so I couldn't do the necessary training. As such, my performance [at Europeans] was poor.
On Jun. 1, I had surgery, and took a break afterward on the doctor's recommendation."
On Changing Classes
"I don't know what I'll do."
WH: You're competing at Worlds at 88KG. Do you plan to stay at that body weight, or will you change once the 2028 Olympics categories are confirmed?
MR: "I really don't know what I'll do. My weight does not exceed 90 kilograms, and I've changed through many smaller categories.
At the moment I'll participate in the 88s, but we don't know long-term."
On Life in Moldova
"I work as a coach."
WH: In Moldova, are you supported financially by your federation, or do you work a "regular" job alongside your weightlifting training?
MR: "Moldovan athletes who have results behind them are supported by the government. We receive sports scholarships based on performances from that year, like at the European Championships.
But, in addition to that, I do work as a coach."
