On March 23, 2021, Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze posted a video of him snatching 223 kilograms (491.6 pounds) in training. It is the heaviest snatch ever caught on film and is currently three kilograms over his current world record of 220 kilograms. In that same session, he also clean & jerked 265 kilograms (which is one kilogram over his current world record). You can watch the video of the snatch below.
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Back in September 2020, Talakhadze snatched 222 kilograms, which was the heaviest snatch recorded at the time. That incredible lift was completed at a national competition and was the superheavyweight’s fourth attempt on the platform. The 27-year old just one-upped himself in a big way and, in doing so, further solidifies himself as one of the greatest weightlifters on the planet.
The first time he hit the 220-kilogram milestone snatch was in 2017 at the World Championships in Anaheim, California. This was in the +105-kilogram weight class. However, the IWF restructured the bodyweight categories, and the records were reset. Then, at the 2019 World Championships in Thailand, Talakhadze, who currently competes at +109-kilograms, snatched 220 kilograms (485 pounds) again and hit his 264-kilogram (582 pounds) clean & jerk for a total of 484 kilograms (1.067 pounds). It’s considered one of the greatest weightlifting performances ever, and all three world records remain his.
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In training, Talakhadze has performed a 230-kilogram snatch balance, a 120-kilogram no-contact muscle snatch triple, a mind-boggling 310-kilogram clean pull, and hit a 180-kilogram bench press for three reps. The 2016 Olympic gold medalist (at +105-kilograms) is constantly progressing and with a big goal in mind. In an interview with Oleksiy Torokhtiy, released on YouTube on May 24, 2020, Talakhadze said that he aims to secure a 500-kilogram (1,102.3-pound) total.
At the rate he is progressing, Talakhadze’s goal total of 500 kilograms seems to be more of a question of when not if. He’s also the presumptive favorite heading into the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games — which are taking place in the Summer of 2021 and won’t allow international spectators. Even so, news of any record that Talakhadze sets will surely spread fast.
Featured image: talakhadzelasha_official on Instagram