Georgia grab lifting gold as Iran fume

Georgia grab lifting gold as Iran fume

RIO DE JANEIRO - Georgia's Lasha Talakhadze grabbed Olympic gold in the men's +105kg weightlifting competition with a world record at Rio after Iranian favourite Behdad Salimikordasiabi sensationally crashed out without registering a total.

Georgia's Lasha Talakhadze during the men's +105kg weightlifting competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 16, 2016

Talakhadze lifted a combined total of 473kg -- a world record -- to beat silver medallist Gor Minasyan of Armenia by a massive 22kg. Georgia also took bronze through Irakli Turmanidze.

Defending champion Salimikordasiabi, often referred to as "Salimi", set a new world record of 216kg in the snatch to lead Talakhadze by 1kg going into the clean and jerk.

However, the 26-year-old Iranian superheavyweight who won gold at London 2012, was unable to successfully complete a clean and jerk, meaning he did not finish a final score.

Salimi was left furious with the jury after it over-ruled the judges' decision that his second lift had been legitimate.

Salimi thought he had successfully raised 245kg above his head but the jury ruled there had been too much movement and he and his coach left the podium gesticulating at the judges.

The pair then re-entered the arena to remonstrate with them. Salimi wagged his finger and shouted at jury members while his coach was even seen arguing with International Weightlifting Federation President Tamas Ajan.

Angry Iranian fans the booed every lift thereafter.

Both Talakhadze and Minasyan have previously served doping bans.

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