Olympic Games 2008

A big opening day for China

Article published on the 2008-08-09 Latest update 2008-08-09 15:17 TU

Pang Wei of China with the men's shooting gold.
(Photo: Reuters)

China took an early lead in the overall medal standings despite several favourites cracking under the home crowd pressure. The country has set itself a goal of winning the overall medal count - a feat it has never accomplished before.

Chinese shooting champion Li Du cracked under the pressure of trying to win the Games’ first gold medal, and Czech Katerina Emmons, who won bronze in Athens, took the honour.

But China didn’t have to wait long for its long-awaited first gold medal on home territory. Chen Xiexia, set two new Olympic records in women’s weightlifting 48kg class by lifting 117kg in the clean and jerk on the way to a total winning lift of 212kg on Saturday.

Sharp shooter Pang Wei gave China their second gold medal of the day by winning the men’s 10m pistol gold. These two have set China up nicely for their goal of leading the country medal standings.

There was almost a giant upset in the women’s sabre fencing. American world number 2, Becca Ward was one hit away from being eliminated by 30th ranked Tunisian Azza Besbes. But Ward went on to win bronze, and the USA swept the podium with the gold going to Mariel Zagunis and the silver to Sada Jacobson.

Samuel Sanchez took the gold for Spain in the cycling road race, completing the 245km course in 6 hours 23 minutes.

In judo, Choi Min-Ho won for South Korea in the men's 60kg category, while Romania's Alina Dumitru claimed the women's 48kg gold.