(UPDATES with quotes)
Two-time world champion Behdad Salimi won Olympic weightlifting gold for Iran in the over 105kg division on Tuesday.
Salimi, 22, took the lead with Russia's Ruslan Albegov by lifting 208kg in the snatch before going clear in the clean and jerk with a massive 247kg.
World silver medalist Sajjad Anoushiravani, also of Iran, took the silver with a 245kg clean and jerk after an average snatch of 204kg.
Albegov, meanwhile, had to settle for bronze after hitting 240kg in the clean and jerk but missing successive attempts at 245kg and 247kg.
"I have been training hard for this for 8 months. I am absolutely ecstatic," Salimi said.
"I am very happy. Very happy. It has been a good day for Iranian weightlifting."
His countryman praised the source of his inspiration.
"I am very happy in the name of God. God has given me this victory. I am very proud to get silver," Anoushiravani said.
Albegov said his preparations had been hit by a shoulder injury, and claimed the Iranian fans in the crowd had proved distracting.
"The Iranian supporters were very loud and they were interupting my concentration," the Russian said. "Iranian people have the stereotype that they are unbeatable, but that is not true."
