Super-Heavyweight (>108 kilograms), Men

Belarussian Aleksandr Kurlovich was the 1988 and 1992 gold medalist and also won the 1995 World Championships. He was expected to be challenged by the 1995 World Champion, Russian Andrey Chemerkin, and Germany’s Ronny Weller, runner-up at the 1995 Worlds and the 1993 World Champion. Kurlovich was never really a factor and would finish fifth, 25 kg out of the medals. Weller and Stefan Botev led after the snatch with 200.0 kg, with Chemerkin snatching 197.5 kg. Botev was a native Bulgarian who had won a bronze medal in heavyweight II at Barcelona, but now represented Australia. The clean & jerk saw the lead change hands multiple times. After their first two lifts, Weller had lifted 252.5 kg with Chemerkin and Botev hoisting 250.0 kg, so Weller led. Botev attempted 255.0 kg on his final lift, but failed. Weller succeeded, bringing his total to 455.0 kg, which forced Chemerkin to call for 260.0 kg. He lifted it cleanly for a world record and the gold medal, as Weller won silver and Botev bronze. Weller would also win the silver medal in this class at the 2000 Olympics.