Weightlifter Pimsiri claimed first Olympic medal for Thailand

Pimsiri Sirikaew bounced back from a below par in the snatch to claim the silver medal, the first for Thailand, in the London Olympics Games, in the women's 58kg weightlifting competition on Monday.

After three heart-broken days which saw two weightlifters fail to produce a medal and a boxer surprisingly crash out in the first round, Thai fans were finally in ecstasy following the formidable form of the Khon Kaen-born.

But hopes almost vanished in the beginning when 22-year-old and compatriot Rattikan Gulnoi managed to lift only 100 kg each in the snatch event and trailed behind eight competitors.

But the macho-girl Pimsiri salvaged her pride in her pet clean and jerk, lifting a brilliant 136 kg for a total 236 kg which earned her the silver medal. Chinese favourite Li Xueying won the gold with a new Games record of 246kg.

Rattikan meanwhile had to settle at fourth with a total 234kg, a kilo behind bronze medallist Yuliya Kalina of Ukraine.