Flyweight (≤52 kilograms), Men

The flyweight division had been added as the lowest weight category to international competition only in 1969. The first world title was won by the USSR’s Vladislav Krishinin. A year later, Hungary’s Sándor Holczreiter claimed the title, but he was disqualified, along with the silver and bronze medallists. This left the world title to Salvador del Rosario of the Philippines. The 1971 title was taken by Poland’s Zygmunt Smalcerz, also the 1971 and 1972 European Champion.

Smalczer and Holczreiter both opened with a press of 112.5 kg, with Del Rosario already back 15 kg and out of contention. The snatch was taken by Burma’s Gyi Aung Maung, who beat the world record at 105.0 kg. Smalczer placed second with 100 kg and gained 7.5 kg on Holczreiter. In the final event Smalczer cleared 125.0 kg, but then missed twice at 130.0 kg. As Holczreiter only managed 122.5 kg, the Pole’s first place was not threatened, and Holczreiter was in fact passed by his compatriot Lajos Szűcs, who moved up from third place. The clean & jerk was won by Pak Dong-Geun, although Indonesia’s Charles Depthios managed a new world record in a post-competition lift with 132.5 kg. After the event 10th placed Arjomand Mohamed Nasehi of Iran was found to have used ephedrine, and was disqualified.