Iran’s weightlifting federation to send letter of complaint to IWF for controversial decision

Iran's Behdad Salimi reacts while competing during the Men's +105kg weightlifting competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 16, 2016. (AFP)

Iran’s weightlifting federation is expected to send a letter of complaint to the International Weightlifting Federation regarding the jury’s ruling against Olympian Behdad Salimi.

Salimi set a new world record of 216kg in the snatch to lead Georgia's Lasha Talakhadze by 1kg. However, in the clean and jerk, judges disallowed Salimi’s first lift of 245kg.

In his second attempt, Salimi thought he had successfully raised 245kg, with all the three judges approving the lift, however the panel of referees on the jury ruled that his left arm had not been straight.

Tired and worn out, the Iranian failed in his third attempt, and received no scores at all. His closest rival Talakhadze was able to gather a total of 473kg to claim the gold and set a new world record. Behdad on the other hand and was left snatch new world record in the snatch and a broken heart. 


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