For about 90 seconds, American weightlifter Hampton Morris was listed as a world champion.
On the final lift at worlds in China, Morris appeared to successfully clean-and-jerk 189 kilograms (416 pounds).
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Multiple referees ruled it a good lift, but four jury members disagreed in real time due to elbow movement, according to broadcast commentary.
While commentators said he was listed in first place on the arena scoreboard, the jury deliberated with video replay for more than a minute, deciding whether it was a clean lift. Video is here.
It ruled no lift due to “bending and extending,” according to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
So Morris went from winning by one kilogram — and becoming the first U.S. man to win a senior world title since 1969 — to earning his second consecutive bronze medal in the 65kg division.
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“I’m entirely proud of what I did,” Morris said, according to the IWF. “I showed exactly what I’m capable of, and I know I’ll be capable of more next time.
“This was not the result I wanted or have worked for, but it’s about as close as I could have gotten. I’m showing the work I’m putting in, and I’m excited for my future.”
Morris, from Marietta, Georgia, won bronze in the 61kg division at the 2024 Paris Games, becoming the first U.S. man to make an Olympic weightlifting podium since 1984.
At 20, he was the youngest U.S. men’s weightlifting medalist since 1956, according to Olympedia.org.
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