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Olympic Weightlifting Recaps: 30 July (Day 11)

+108 kg Group A Final

CHEMERKIN World's Strongest Man

Andrey CHEMERKIN of the Russian Federation set a world record in the clean and jerk to earn the title of "World's Strongest Man" Tuesday, by beating a stellar field to win the gold medal in the over 108 kg class of weightlifting at the Centennial Olympic Games. CHEMERKIN, the current world champion, lifted a phenomenal 260 kg (573 lbs) on his final lift to displace Germany's Ronny WELLER from the top of the victory stand. Moments earlier, WELLER had set a world record of his own with a clean and jerk of 255 kg (562 lbs). Because CHEMERKIN had a heavier body weight than did his German rival, he knew he would be forced to increase his final lift by 5 kg in order to have a shot at victory (ties favor the lighter lifter). CHEMERKIN's total of 457.5 kg (1,008.5 lbs) tied the world record. WELLER, who tied his personal best in the snatch and bettered it in the clean and jerk, was second at 455 kg (1,003 lbs). Stefan BOTEV, a bronze medalist in 1992 for his native Bulgaria but now represents Australia, was third at 450 kg (992 lbs).

From the start of the competition, it became clear that someone in the world-class field would produce a world record. No one did in the snatch, however, as WELLER and BOTEK ended that phase of the competition in a tie at 200 kg (440.75). The clean and jerk phase was classic one-upmanship, with the lead constantly changing hands with each lifter trying valiantly to outdo his predecessor as the sellout crowd at the Georgia World Congress Center roared its approval. CHEMERKIN was the last man to attempt a lift and when he had lifted the bar high above his head, he knew his record and lift would stand. Two-time defending Olympic champion Aleksandr KURLOVICH (BLR) saw his bid for a historic three-peat when he failed to make a clean and jerk of 247.5 kg (545.5 lbs). He finished seventh.

Gold: Andrey CHEMERKIN (RUS) 457.5 kg (1,008.5 lbs); Silver: Ronny WELLER (GER) 455 kg (1,003 lbs.); Bronze: Stefan BOTEV (AUS) 450 kg (992 lbs).

See story.

``It is literally weight to carry on my shoulders,'' gold medalist Andrey CHEMERKIN said of being tagged ``World's Strongest Man'' Tuesday. ``I am going to try to repeat in Sydney in 2000.''


Weightlifting 108 kg + / Group B

Latvia's BERGMANIS Continues European Dominance

Raimonds BERGMANIS of Latvia set a new personal best and national record Tuesday while continuing the dominance of former Soviet Union lifters by winning Group B of the more than 108kg category in weightlifting at the Centennial Olympic Games.

BERGMANIS tied his personal best in the snatch at 177.5 kg (391.25 lbs) and was tied with Ashot DANIELIAN of Armenia for the lead at the midway point. But after initially failing at 225 kg (496 lbs), BERGMANIS successfully cleaned and jerked the weight on his final attempt to give him a total of 402.5 kg (887.25 lbs). DANIELIAN could manage just 217.5 kg (479.5 lbs) in the clean and jerk and finished fourth.

Turkey's Erdinc ASLAN was second with a total of 397.5 kg (876.25 lbs) and had the single greatest lift of the session, a 227.5 kg clean and jerk for a finale. Sweden's Anders BERGSTROM was third at 395.0 after missing a try at 225 kg (496 lbs) which would have earned him second place had it been successful.

A sellout crowd at the Georgia World Congress Center is eagerly anticipating a showdown between two-time defending Olympic champion Aleksandr KURLOVICH of Belarus, Andrey CHEMERKIN of Russia, Leonid TARANENKO of Russia and Mark HENRY of the United States in the Group A session Tuesday, which concludes the weightlifting competition at the 1996 Olympic Games.

Group B Results: 1. Raimonds BERGMANIS (LAT), 402.5 (887.25 lbs); 2. Eric ASLAN (TUR) 397.5 kg (876.25 lbs); 3. Anders BERGSTROM (SWE) 395 kg (870.75 lbs).


This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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