Middle-Heavyweight (≤90 kilograms), Men

Arkady Vorobyov had won the gold medal in this class in 1956-60, but had now retired and was coaching the Soviet team. Britain’s Louis Martin, the 1960 bronze medalist, had won the 1962-63 World Championships and held the world record and was favored, with Poland’s Ireneusz Paliński, 1961 World Champion and runner-up to Martin in 1962-63, considered his biggest challenger. Nobody expected much from Soviet Vladimir Golovanov, who had little international reputation, and had never even won a national title. However, Golovanov lifted 165.0 kg in the press to lead, and also had the best snatch with 142.5 kg, equalled by Hungarian Árpád Nemessányi. When Golovanov jerked 180.0 kg, he set a world record total of 487.5 kg to win gold in a big upset. Martin was never really close, but also lifted 180.0 kg in the clean & jerk to take silver, with Paliński getting bronze.