Shi Zhiyong completed a golden day for China’s weightlifters, claiming the 62 kg men’s Olympic title, but the cheers belonged to Leonidas Sampanis, who gave Greece its first medal of the Athens Games.

Shi laid the ground work for his victory in the snatch with a massive lift of 152.5 kg then combined it with 172.5 kg in the clean and jerk to take the gold with a world record total of 325 kg ahead of compatriot Le Maosheng on 312.5.

The big crowd inside the Nikaia hall had come to see just one man, however, and 33-year-old Sampanis did not disappoint. Performing at the edge of his ability, he took bronze with 312.5 kg, losing out to Le for silver because the Greek’s body weight was the greater — by just 22 grams.

China’s Chen Yanqing, who quit weightlifting in frustration when she was not chosen for the 2000 Sydney Games, made a dramatic return to the international stage by winning Olympic gold yesterday.

The 25-year-old eclipsed North Korea’s Ri Song-Hui, who has a reputation for choking at major events, to take the women’s 58kg title with a total of 237.5kg.

Ri, the runner-up in Sydney, took the silver medal again on 232.5kg with Thailand’s Wandee Kameaim in bronze position lifting 230kg.

Chen went to university in Nanjing after failing to book a seat on the plane to Sydney and only started full-time training again last November.

She made a quick impact at a series of selection trials, including the National Games, and edged current world champion Sun Caiyan for a coveted spot on China’s Olympic squad.

Her victory repaid the faith put in her by the Chinese Weightlifting Association who had to choose just four female competitors for Athens out of their hugely-talented squad.

China won all four golds available to them in Sydney but hopes of a similar sweep in Athens were thwarted on the first day of competition when Turkey’s Nurcan Taylan edged Li Zhuo for the 48kg gold medal.

Chen won the 1999 world title in Athens and said before the competition that she loved lifting in the Greek capital. She took a commanding 5kg lead after the snatch section thanks to a new Olympic record lift of 107.5kg.

Ri, who has suffered stage fright on the big occasion before, fluffed her first attempt at 102.5kg immediately putting herself under pressure. She lifted 102.5kg at the second go but failed in her bid to match Chen’s 107.5kg.

Thailand’s Wandee, on a high after her compatriot Udomporn Polsak won gold in the 53kg division on Sunday, also hoisted 102.5kg.

Chen stuttered briefly by failing in her first clean and jerk attempt at 130kg but made it at the second attempt.

Ri matched her 130kg but was forced to attempt a massive 137.5kg to pip Chen for the gold and she failed to heave the bar more than a few feet off the floor.