Nigerian lifter Nwaokolo wins first gold of CWG 2010

Augustina Nkem Nwaokolo of Nigeria stormed her way to the first gold medal of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, with a record mark in the women's weightlifting event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Sports Complex, in New Delhi, on Monday.

The 17-year-old established a Commonwealth Games record with a total of 175 kgs, as she lifted 77 kgs in the Snatch, and followed that up with another successful lift of 98 in the Clean and Jerk, in the 48-kg women's weighlifting category.

India's Soniya Chanu took the silver with a total of 167 kgs, while Sandhya Rani Devi took the bronze to open India's medal tally on the opening day of the Delhi Games.

Sandhya finished level on points with Malaysia Zaira Zakaria, but placed ahead because of a lesser body weight.

The previous record belonged to India's Kunjarani Devi with a total of 167.50 -- 92.5 in the clean and jerk and 75 in the snatch -- at the 2002 Games in Manchester.

Nwaokolo announced her challenge right from the start as she cleared 73 kgs in her first attempt in the Snatch before going to lift 77 in her third to set a Games record in the category.

Chanu also had a good start with a clean lift of 73 kgs but failed in her next attempts to lift 76. Sandhya was also close on her heels with a highest of 73 in the Snatch.

In the Clean and Jerk, Nwaokolo consolidated her position at the top with a record lift of 98 kgs for another record in the Games.

Chanu, who lifted 94 in her first attempt, then went for broke as he attempted 103 kgs in her next two attempts but failed and had to settle for silver. 

Final Standings: