Light-Heavyweight (≤82½ kilograms), Men

The Soviets brought two lifters for this class, led by Volodymyr Bieliaiev, the world record holder and 1966 World Champion, and Boris Selitsky, a Russian only selected to the Soviet team after winning the 1967 national title, but he had already won the 1968 European Championships by the time of the Mexico City Olympics. Bieliaiev led after the press with 152.5 kg, but when both Soviets snatched 147.5 kg, they were well ahead. When Selitsky came through in the clean & jerk with 187.5 kg, both tied with 485.0 kg, equalling Bieliaiev’s world record. Based on bodyweight Selitsky won the gold medal and Bieliaiev the silver, with the bronze going to Poland’s Norbert Ozimek, the 1965 World Champion. The two Soviets never again competed at the Olympics, but Ozimek returned in 1972 and improved to the silver medal.