Azerbaijan has won its first medal in the 30th Summer Olympic Games. Azerbaijani weightlifter Valentin Hristov, who competed in the 56 kg weight division, scored 286 points to finish in third place and win bronze.
President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva watched the competition.
Valentin Hristov ordered 120 kg in the snatch and 150 in the clean and jerk. The first lift of the Azerbaijani athlete was successful.
Changing the weight of 120 kg to 123 kg, he easily lifted it in the snatch. Considering the performance of his rivals, Valentin Hristov ordered 127 kg in his second lift and skillfully handled the weight. Finally, in his third lift he ordered 130 kg but was unable to raise the weight and had to be content with only 127 kg. As a result, the Azerbaijani athlete finished fourth in the snatch.
In the clean and jerk, the Azerbaijani sportsman ordered 154 kg and successfully raised the bar over his head. In his second lift he ordered 158 kg, but could not cope with the weight. In his third attempt Valentin Hristov ordered 159 kg and managed to raise the bar.
Thus, Valentin Hristov scored a total of 286 points and settled in third place winning the first medal for the Azerbaijan national team in the London Olympics.
President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the athlete and the coaches of the national team on this victory.
