Record-breaking Georgian Olympic Weightlifter Eyes 'risky' Goal
Zeeshan Mehtab Published August 05, 2021 | 08:20 AM
Tokyo, Aug 5 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Aug, 2021 ) :Georgian super-heavyweight weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze is eyeing the sport's holy grail of a combined lift of 500 kilograms after smashing three world records on his way to Olympic gold in Tokyo.
Talakhadze hoisted a total of 488kg in the +109kg category on Wednesday, comprising 223kg in the snatch and 265kg in the clean and jerk.
All three weights were world records, breaking benchmarks set by Talakhadze himself in an event the 27-year-old has dominated in recent years.
The Georgian beat silver medallist Ali Davoudi of Iran (441kg) by 47kg, with Syria's Man Asaad claiming bronze with 424kg.
Talakhadze, who won the +105kg class in Rio before weightlifting's classifications were revised and has 11 world championship titles, said he was keen to continue to the Paris Games in 2024.
He is eyeing a 500kg lift, a feat once considered impossible but now just 12kg away.
"At this stage it would be risky, but I will try my utmost and I will do everything in order to set the nearest margin at least to that limit," he said.
"First of all, I will do what is necessary to win -- the rest we will see what happens during the competitions and what my chief coach will decide." Talakhadze, who was banned for two years in 2013 after testing positive for anabolic steroids, was confident weightlifting's well-publicised doping issues would not result in the sport being dropped from the Olympics.
"Weightlifting has always been one of the (Olympic) sports. Without weightlifting there is not an Olympic Games," he said.
"Those who deserve punishment should be punished but as a sport it should stay in the programme."The International Olympic Committee has threatened to axe weightlifting from the Paris Games if the sport cannot clean up its act.
Weightlifting has recorded 110 doping offences at the Olympic Games -- more than a quarter of the total ever recorded across all sports -- with 49 athletes stripped of their medals, according to an AFP count.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
More Stories From Sports
-
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable victory over UAE
7 minutes ago -
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
6 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
7 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
9 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
10 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
10 hours ago
-
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
9 hours ago -
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
10 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
9 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
9 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
9 hours ago -
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
11 hours ago