Athlete Lasha Talakhadze in Lifter of the Year online poll

Georgia’s weightlifting world champion and record-breaking athlete Lasha Talakhadze is in running to be named International Weightlifting Federation’s Lifter of the Year via an online poll.

Talakhadze, who broke three world records in competition last year, is one of five male weightlifters shortlisted for the title.

The Georgian is featured in the voting alongside other world champions including Colombia’s Francisco Valencia and Iran’s Sohrab Moradi.

Also featuring a separate voting for women athletes, the poll will be closed on January 31 before winners are revealed.

Talakhadze was crowned world champion in December 2017 at the World Weightlifting Championships tournament, rounding of a successful year.

The 24-year old set a new world record at the event, scoring 477 points and improving his own previous achievement.

Who are your lifters of 2017? Show your support for the year's best male and female weightlifters VOTE NOW: https://t.co/XchgvUSY9Dpic.twitter.com/enciVOmQoy

— IWF (@iwfnet) January 5, 2018

He also lifted 217kg in snatch discipline at the European Weightlifting Championships in Split, Croatia in the spring, setting another world record.

His achievements throughout the year were recognised with the title of Georgia’s Sportsperson of the Year for 2017.