Reigning Olympic champion weighlifter Matthias Steiner has had a narrow escape after dropping the bar on himself whilst competing.

The German was hospitalised after dropping 196kg onto the back of his neck during the super heavyweight finals.

His arms buckled during the second lift of the snatch section, sending him crashing to the ground.

Remarkably, he was able to walk away but was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Iran's Behdad Salimikordasiabi went on to win the event with a combined total of 455kg.