WARSAW -- Iran's national weightlifting team finished third at the 2002 World Weightlifting Championships after China and Bulgaria by winning three gold and three bronze medals at the end of the competitions here Tuesday evening.

Iran's heavyweight lifter Hossein Rezazadeh who smashed the world record in the +105kg category was hardly troubled by his rivals on his way toward winning three gold medals of the class.

He lifted a total of 472.5kg, and broke the world record by 0.5kg by clearing 263kg in clean and jerk, the first time ever for any weightlifter in the category.

Following his impressive feat, Rezazadeh told IRNA that he dedicates the medals to all of his compatriots who have prayed for him throughout the competition.

Earlier on Friday, Iran's lifter in the weight category 77kg Mohammad-Hossein Barkhah won two bronze medals of the class at the championships.

Barkhah lifted 165kg in snatch, and ranked third after his Chinese and Bulgarian competitors who totaled 172.5kg and 170kg to win the gold and silver medals, respectively.

Barkhah in clean and jerk was able to lift 200kg, and ranked fourth for his weight difference with his Bulgarian and Turkish competitor who won the silver and bronze medals of the class.

Also on Sunday, Kourosh Baqeri of Iran snatched the bronze medal of 94kg category of the championships.

The former world gold medalist, Baqeri failed to lift 177.5 and 180kg in snatch and was eliminated.

In clean-and-jerk class, the Iranian lifted 210kg finishing third.

Hossein Tavakkoli, Iran's gold medalist of the category at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, lifted 185kg in snatch, and ranked seventh for body weight difference with his Turkish competitor Bunyami Sudas and Alan Cagajew from Bulgaria.

China ranked first in the championships by grabbing eight golds in the competitions, four silvers and one bronze medal, while Bulgaria stood second by gaining four golds, eight silvers and three bronzes.