The Single Greatest Moment in Olympic Weightlifting

[zacktelander]

With a strong track record of sporting accomplishments, world-class weightlifter Matthias Steiner had promised his wife he would win a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Tragically, Steiner’s wife Susann was never to see him compete at Beijing. She sadly passed away in a car accident the summer before the Games.
In an emotional final at the 2008 Olympics, Steiner experienced the greatest success of his career.
After a number of failures within the competition, unable to lift the same weight as his counterparts, Matthias had one final chance at glory. The final weight meant lifting a huge difference of 10kg in order to claim gold.
With incredible determination, Steiner made a clean jerk of 258 kg and a total lift of 461 kg. In achieving an outstanding performance, Steiner turned his tragic loss into the inspiration he needed to fulfil his promise to Susann: to become an Olympic gold medallist in Beijing.
Choking back tears and holding a photograph of Susann, Steiner took his place on the medallists’ podium. Kissing the picture, Steiner accepted his Olympic gold medal, saying, “I managed to lift it because I had this strong, innermost urge. I’m not the superstitious type, I don’t believe in higher powers, but I hope she saw me. I wish.”

[schorschmcgill]

This day, four arms were holding the bar.

[LegendeEduard]

German commentary: “this big heavy man with his big heavy heart“

[Kaspar]

Poetic how his love is immortalized not only in this lift by itself but by how many people it touched and inspired

[viklifts-zkbl]

A clean and jerk has no business being this fucking emotional. One of the most beautiful moments in sports

[chaosdisciple]

"So you see mr. Alien, if you destroy earth we won't have the opportunity to create more moments like this."

[SevZG]

Still get goosebumps watching this. Absolutely incredible performance. And surely, a helping hand or two from beyond...

[squibblez]

Seeing Lasha lift always makes me excited, but watching this performance by Matthias makes me downright *emotional*.* The man turned one of the greatest pains you can feel as a person, losing a soul mate, and made it into a achievement that will be remembered for decades. A true champion, and a man of legend for sure.

[JimJamJ]

He would have lifted the world if itd have brought her back, that was amazing.

[parthpatel]

The fact that he never lifted even close to what he did that day is insane

[_hipflexion]

You could live two lifetimes and never see/ hear a story like this ever again.

[herrnoname.]

As a German it was wonderful to see him win, as a regular dude it was one of the best moments i have ever seen in my life! Love is power! What a great man!

[titusfreitasfreitas]

This is still one the most Beautiful lifts of all time

[marledanimefan]

There were 2 people lifting that weight I'M SURE OF IT

[RockyTucsonPaik]

Thank you posting and sharing this. This always brings me chills and goosebumps. Weightlifting takes incredible heart and grit and he is an amazing reminder of that

[johnoleary]

This is one of the greatest moment in olympic sport.

[connorgames]

The animated version where she helps him lift the bar got me

[SlickRieck]

one of the most iconic sporting moments of the 2000's, perhaps all time, what a will of iron

[carpetgymolylifting]

Not much people have ever felt that amount of happiness...i sure hope to some day...ofc without it having to be my dead wife 😅

[dar.k-jk]

I swear it’s the song that gets me to tears