RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil.- Georgian Lasha Talakhadze became the new Olympic weightlifting champion in the over 105-kilogram category after lifting a total of 473 kilograms, a new world record.
Talakhadze, the reigning world and European champion, lived up to expectations and won, lifting 215 kilograms in snatch and 258 kilograms in clean and jerk for a total of 473 kilograms in the Olympic total.
This score allowed the Georgian to surpass Armenian Gor Minasyan by 22 kilograms. Minasyan won the silver medal with a total of 451 kilograms, lifting 210 kilograms in snatch and 241 kilograms in clean and jerk.
Georgian Irakli Turmanidze completed the podium, winning the bronze medal with a total of 448 kilograms. Turmanidze lifted 207 kilograms in snatch and 241 kilograms in clean and jerk.
Iranian Behdad Salimikordasiabi missed out on the podium after setting a world record in snatch with 216 kilograms but failed to lift any weight in clean and jerk with three unsuccessful attempts.
These three failed attempts were surrounded by controversy, as Salimikordasiabi lifted 245 kilograms twice, but the judges decided not to count them as valid.