Iran’s super heavyweight weightlifters claim Olympic gold and silver

LONDON,Aug.10(MNA) – Iran’s Behdad Salimi and Sajjad Anoushiravani claimed gold and silver medals for super heavyweight weightlifting at the London Olympic Games. World champion Salimi lifted 208kg in the snatch and 247kg in the clean and jerk. The 23-year-old won the gold medal with a total of 455kg. “I came here to win the gold medal. People's expectations are now raised. I will try to break the record in the future,” Salimi said. Iran’s other over-105kg weightlifter Anoushiravani won the silver medal. Anoushiravani lifted 204kg in snatch and hoisted 245kg in the clean and jerk. The 28-year-old managed a total of 449kg and claimed silver. Ruslan Albegov of Russia claimed the bronze medal with a total of 448kg, lifting 208kg in snatch and 240kg in the clean and jerk. The vast numbers of Iranian fans inside ExCeL were afforded further delight after Salimi and Anoushiravani collected their gold and silver medals. Beijing 2008 gold medalist Matthias Steiner was denied the chance to defend his crown after he was forced to withdraw following an injury.