Middleweight (≤75 kilograms), Men

This class saw one of the most dominant performances in Olympic weightlifting history as Egyptian Khadr El-Touni won by 35 kg, bettering his own world record with a total of 387.5 kg. That mark would have won him the light-heavyweight division by 15 kg. El-Touni had the highest lift for all three phases of the competition, setting world records in both the press and snatch. El-Touni went on to win three world titles (1946, 1949-50), placing 3rd at the 1951 World Championships. He also competed in the 1948 Olympics, but illness prevented him from successfully defending his title and he placed fourth. El-Touni also recorded 16 world records, although only 11 of them were recognized.

Well back in Berlin were the silver and bronze medalists, both Germans, Rudolf Ismayr, the defending gold medalist, and Adolf Wagner. Wagner would win silver (1937) and gold (1938) in this class at the next two World Championships, while Ismayr would win silver behind Wagner in 1938.