Background
Chakhoyan was born in Leninakan, Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (now Gyumri, Armenia), where many great weightlifters hail from.
Chakhoyan was born in Leninakan, Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (now Gyumri, Armenia), where many great weightlifters hail from.
Chakhoyan set the world record in the snatch at 175.5 kg in the light heavyweight division. He became the second weightlifter from Armenia to set a world record, after Israel Militosyan. Chakhoyan also competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and came in sixth place.
He started representing Australia sometime later.
Chakhoyan came in sixth place again at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He was stripped of the record and medal and was suspended for two years.
Chakhoyan lifted 175.0 kg in the snatch at the 2004 Summer Olympics. However, he was unable to lift a successful jerk and dropped out of the competition.
In April 2007, he tested positive for doping again and received a life ban, which is mandatory for a second offence.