Rio 2016 Olympics: Armenian Weightlifter Suffers Horrific Elbow Injury

Andranik Karapetyan
Andranik Karapetyan in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 10. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

Armenian weightlifter Andranik Karapetyan crashed out of the Olympic Games in agony Wednesday after suffering an horrific hyper-extension of the elbow.

The European champion, one of the favorites in the 77 kilogram (169 pounds) category in Rio, was taking a second attempt at the 195 kilogram (429 pounds) lift when the joint in his arm gave way.

Andranik Karapetyan
The Armenian weightlifter suffered a hyper-extension of the elbow. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
Andranik Karapetyan
Karapetyan was left in agony after hyper-extending his elbow. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
Andranik Karapetyan
Medical personnel rushed to the Olympian's aid. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

The 20-year-old Olympian cried out in agony as medical officials rushed onto the platform to help him.

Karapetyan was taken to a Rio hospital in an ambulance and was reported to have been seen on a saline drip.

Kazakhstan's Nijat Rahimov ended up taking gold, with China's Lu Xiaojun in second and Egypt's Ihab Youssef in third.

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