Ilin wins weightlifting gold for Kazakhstan

Ilya Ilin won Kazaksthan's first weightlifting gold medal in Beijing, edging his opponents in a close contest for the men's 94-kilogram title.

Ilin finished with a total of 406 kg (895.1 pounds) Sunday, sealing the win with the last of his six lifts.

European champion Szymon Kolecki of Poland took second place and Russia's Khadzhimurat Akkaev won the bronze.

Kolecki and Ilin were in a chicken race ahead of their last lifts, raising the weights kilogram by kilogram until Ilin went for it at 226 kg (498.2 pounds). Kolecki added 2 kg (4.4 pounds) to the bar in a final attempt to gain the gold, but couldn't pull it off.