Since 2021, Lasha Talakhadze has held the all-time world records independent of weight category in the snatch with 225 kg, the clean and jerk with 267 kg, and a combined total of 492 kg. A dominant presence in super-heavyweight lifting, the Georgian athlete has secured three Olympic gold medals and numerous global titles throughout his career.
Early Career and International Breakthrough
Born in 1993 in Sachkhere, Georgia, Talakhadze began his ascent in the international weightlifting circuit. At the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships, he initially claimed silver with a 454 kg total. Following the disqualification of original gold medalist Aleksey Lovchev for a positive drug test, Talakhadze was awarded the world title. By the 2016 Olympics, he established himself as a force, setting a world record snatch of 215 kg and a record total of 473 kg to secure his first Olympic gold medal.
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Following the 2018 reorganization of weight categories by the International Weightlifting Federation, Talakhadze transitioned to the +109 kg division. He continued to set performance benchmarks, including a 2019 European Championship performance in Batumi where his 478 kg total surpassed his previous records. His dominance extended to the 2019 World Weightlifting Championships, where he achieved a 484 kg total. In 2021, he reached his career-peak benchmarks in Tashkent, setting the current world standards for the snatch, clean and jerk, and total.
Continued Competition and Political Career
Beyond his 2021 records, Talakhadze maintained his status as a seven-time world and seven-time European champion. Despite recovering from leg and knee injuries in 2022 and 2024, he secured victories at the 2022 World Championships in Bogotá and the 2023 World Championships in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, he earned his third Olympic gold medal in Paris. Outside of sports, he serves as a politician, becoming a parliamentarian for the Georgian Dream party in 2024.
Fast facts
- Born: 1993, Sachkhere, Georgia
- Olympic titles: 3
- World championship titles: 7
- European championship titles: 7
- Current record total: 492 kg
- Political affiliation: Georgian Dream party
- Professional debut year: 2015
Questions readers ask
What is Lasha Talakhadze's current occupation?
He is an athlete and a politician serving in the Georgian parliament.
How many Olympic gold medals has he won?
He has won three Olympic gold medals.
