Russian weightlifter breaks both knees after squat goes horribly wrong

A Russian weightlifter has fractured both knees after a 400kg squat went wrong.

Alexander Sedykh suffered the horror injury at the World Raw Powerlifting Federation European Championships near Moscow this week.

In the footage below, you can see Sedyky's legs shake under the huge weight on the barbell on his shoulders as readies himself for the squat.

Attempting to defend his crown, reigning champion Sedykh's knees then buckle under the 400kg weight and he collapses knee-first onto the mat and cries out in agony.

His spotters were quick to stop further injury as the barbar fell behind him, avoiding damage to arms or back.

Warning: This video contains graphic footage

Sedykh was rushed to the hospital for surgery where his knees were reassembled and quadriceps reattached during a six-hour procedure.

"The forecasts are as follows — lie down for two months, do not move your legs," Sedykh is quoted as saying afterwards.

"Then learn to walk again and to recover."