2000 and 2004 Olympic Champion Hossein Rezazadeh (Iran) holds all three world records in the +105 kg class, but they appear to be in jeopardy as the World Weightlifting Championships approach - insiders have predicted that Rezazadeh just might break all three records in this competition, which begins next week in Doha, Qatar.

 
He did it with ease: Hossein Rezazadeh (Iran) jerked 260 kg at the recent Asian Weightlifting Championships (Dubai, UAE). IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Asked about this possibility, Hossein Rezazadeh told IronMind® today, "That is what I hope for, but my goal is to win to the gold medal first, then to set new records."

And just so you know how reasonable it is to predict a possible record-setting binge from Rezazadeh, he said that he has snatched 212.5 kg and cleaned and jerked 270 kg in training as he prepares for the world championships.

On another note, Rezazadeh also told IronMind®, "I don't know anything about this," responding to a report that discussions about him lifting for Germany are underway.

Rezazadeh's comments follow a story that reported German Weightlifting Federation president Claus Umbach saying "a close friend of Rezazadeh's" who is living in Germany contacted Umbach and discussed the possibility of Rezazadeh representing Germany.

Hossein Rezazadeh is something of a national treasure in Iran, revered not just by the general population, but by the political and religious leaders as well. Rezazadeh said that other people have been known to try to broker deals such as this and he has repeatedly been asked to represent other countries, but he "has no intention to lift for anyone but Iran."