Career
His 266 kg clean and jerk in 1988 is still the largest amount ever lifted in competition, though no longer an official world record due to restructuring of weight classes. Taranenko trained at VSS Uradzhai in Minsk. He was unable to compete in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles due to the Soviet boycott.
After this, Taranenko moved up to the super-heavyweight class.
Lifting in Canberra, Australia on November 26, 1988, he set a world record of 266.0 kg in the clean and jerk, and 475.0 kg in the total. Due to the restructuring of the competitive weight classes that took place in 1993 and 1998, these lifts are no longer recognized as the official world records.
However, these remain the highest figures ever posted in competition. In 1992, Taranenko represented the Unified Team at the Olympics in Barcelona.
He took the silver medal in the super-heavyweight class with a total of 425.0 kg.
Taranenko"s other victories include the 110 kg class titles at the 1980 World and European championships, and super-heavyweight titles at the 1990 World championship and 1988, 1991, and 1996 European championships. Career bests
Snatch: 210.0 kg in the class over 110 kg
Clean and jerk: 266.0 kg (the largest amount ever lifted in competition, but no longer an official world record due to restructuring of weight classes)
Total: 442.5 kg (2000 + 2425) 1984 in Varna in the class to 110 kg
Total: 476.0 kg (2100 + 2660), in Canberra, Australia on November 26, 1988, in the class over 110 kg.
