Light-Heavyweight (≤89 kg), Men

For the Paris Games, the men’s light-heavyweight class had a slight change from Tokyo, with the weight limit moving up from 81 kg to 89 kg.

China’s Lu Xiaojun, who won gold in Tokyo, was not in Paris to defend his title, having previously become the oldest Olympian to win a weightlifting gold at 37 years and 4 days. In December 2022, Lu had also been provisionally suspended following an out-of-competition positive test for EPO. At the same time, Zacarías Bonnat (DOM), who had won silver in Tokyo, was also provisionally suspended following a positive test for a banned substance. This meant that the Italian lifter Antonino Pizzolato, who had won bronze in Tokyo, was the only medal winner from the previous Games to compete in Paris.

Favorites for medals included the world record holder in the snatch Yeison López (COL), the world record holder in the clean & jerk Karlos Nasar (BUL), and the reigning World Champion Mir Mostafa Javadi (IRI).

Following the snatch, both López and Nasar had lifted 180 kg, with López leading due to lighter bodyweight. They were closely followed by Marin Robu (MDA) and Pizzolato. Nasar then lifted 224 kg in the clean & jerk, with López only managing 210 kg and finishing behind Pizzolato, who lifted 212 kg on his third and final attempt. Nasar won gold with a world record lift of 404 kg, with López taking silver, and Pizzolato winning his second consecutive bronze.