World champion Andrei Aramnau of Belarus broke three heavyweight world records Yesterday to win his country's first Olympic gold in weightlifting.

Aramnau lifted a total of 436 kilograms (961.2 pounds) in the 105-kg category. Russians Dmitriy Klokov and Dmitry Lapikov took silver and bronze.

At first the competition looked to be a duel between the 20-year-old Aramnau and former world champion Marcin Dolega of Poland, but Dolega missed out on the medals after a disappointing clean and jerk session.

Aramnau broke Dolega's world record in the snatch, becoming the first in the weight class to lift 200 kg (440.9 pounds) in the event. The Pole tried to get the record back but missed his last snatch at 201 kg (443.1 pounds).

"I felt no pressure," Aramnau said. "I'm really stable psychologically. I think my Polish colleague was more stressed."

After clinching the gold medal in his second clean and jerk, Aramnau set another world record in the event by taking 236 kg (520.3 pounds) in his final lift. His total was also a new mark.