The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Desk

Chinese weightlifter Chen Xiexia set an Olympic record as she won the hosts their first gold medal of the 2008 Games on the opening day.

She took the 48kg class to huge cheers from the partisan crowd, clinching victory with a total of 212kg.

Turkey's Sibel Ozkan's total of 199kg earned silver, while Taiwanese lifter Chen Wei-Ling lifted 196kg for bronze.

Chen, 25, lifted 95kg in the snatch and set a new record for the class with 117kg in the clean and jerk.

The 2004 Olympic champion, Nurcan Taylan of Turkey, was eliminated after three failed attempts in the snatch.

Wrapped in a Chinese flag, Chen sang along with the crowd to the national anthem after receiving her medal.

Her victory tempered the earlier disappointment for China when defending champion Du Li failed to get amongst the medals in the women's 10m air rifle event.

And it capped a dramatic 24 hours for the hosts after a dazzling opening ceremony.

"I have been thinking of winning a medal but never thought it would turn out to be the first gold medal for China," said an ecstatic Chen.

"I had the special support of the audience, especially from the Chinese audience, and so I don't think I was under great pressure."

"I'm very happy and think I did a good job."

Zhong Chencan, Chen's coach at a training school in Guangzhou, said her performance on Saturday was perfect, and her success was a result of a stable mental state and good skills.

Li Bingming, Chen's first coach who began to train her since she was 8, said she had an outgoing personality since her childhood. "She never hesitated to ask questions, though she was the youngest among all the trainees, and she was quick in learning new skills."

"She always performed better in real competition than in training due to her calmness."

Chen's father, a plain farmer, said the family would buy some shrimps to celebrate the victory. Shrimp is also the favorite food of Chen, said the father.