Turkish weightlifter Nurcan Taylan became her country's first female Olympic champion on Saturday by taking the title of the women's 48kg category on the opening day of the Athens Olympics.

The 21-year-old sprang an upset over hot-favorite Chinese Li Zhuo to take the first weightlifting gold of the Athens Olympics.

"I dedicated this gold medal to the Turkish people, I won because Turkish people prayed for me," she said at the post-match press conference.

Taylan had dominated the 53kg category by winning six gold medals at the last two European Championships, but lowered her category to the 48kg due to less bodyweight.

"I feel very happy to win, this is the biggest achievement for me," she said.

Taylan lifted 97.5 kg in the snatch, breaking the former world mark of 93.5kg set by Li Zhuo last September.

Taylan continued her record-beating momentum and lifted 107.5kgin the first attempt at the clean and jerk, setting a new Olympic record with a total of 205.0kg.

She went further to set a new world mark in the total after she lifted 112.5 in the clean and jerk to make the total at 210kg.

Li Zhuo, 23, failed her attempt at 95kg and had to settle for 92.5 kg in the snatch.

Li had planned an attempt at 115kg in the clean and jerk but having watched Taylan lifting 112.5kg, she quickly changed it to 120kg.

But she failed in her two attempts at the weight, having to settle for a silver medal on a total of 205.0kg.

"I tried my best, but did not expect her (Taylan) to perform so well," said Li.

Aree Wiratthaworn of Thailand ended up third with a total of 200kg. Defending champion Tara Cunningham of the United States only finished 11th at a total of 172.5kg.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2004)