Olympics 2016: Weightlifters have the best celebrations - video

Forget the Mobot and Lightning Bolt, the strongmen and women of the Rio Games have all the moves

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Weightlifting may not be the most high-profile sport at the Rio Olympics, but it has produced some of the most memorable celebrations of the Games.

Spectators at the stadium have had to make do with the Mo Farah's Mobot and Usain Bolt's Lightning Bolt, but fans at the weightlifting arena have been treated to a variety of different dance moves, signature sign-offs and displays of fist-pumping that would leave Andy Murray in pieces.

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David Katoatau - Kiribati:

Pacific Islander Katoatau proved he remains light on his feet no matter how heavy the weights on the bar, dancing after each lift. But The Atlantic says, his cheerful celebration has a serious side and is designed to raise awareness of the rising sea levels threatening his low-lying island nation.

"What’s remarkable about his dancing is that Katoatau didn’t win anything," says the website. "The weightlifter from the Pacific island nation of Kiribati finished sixth in the men’s 105kg Group B final. He’s dancing because he’s not sure what else he can do at this point to help his sinking, storm-battered country."

Aurimas Didzbalis - Lithuania:

Weightlifters may be strong, but they are also nimble, as Didzbalis proved upon winning bronze in the men's 94kg category.

After nailing his lift, he executed an impressive backflip – a move he later confessed he would not have done had he not won a medal.

Lidia Valentin - Spain:

While weightlifting may not seem a very feminine sport, Valentin of Spain managed to bring a touch of glamour to the stage with her trademark celebration, which was on show after she claimed bronze in the 75kg division. Her admirers were left dazzled - and a tiny bit terrified.

Oscar Figueroa - Colombia:

One of the most moving celebrations came from Figueroa, who took gold in the men's 62kg event and promptly retired in floods of tears, symbolically removing his shoes and leaving them on the stage after what would be the final lift of his career.

Sarah Robles – US:

The US may be top of the medal table in Rio, but it is fair to say weightlifting is not their strong suit. So Robles was pretty chuffed to win the country's first weightlifting medal of any colour since 2000 as she claimed bronze in the 75kg and over category.

She dedicated her win to "women of size", and a look at her Instagram account proves that she is something of a character.