Deng Wei was winner of a titanic challenge against fellow debutant Chloe Hyo Sim of South Korea in a women’s 63 kilograms event which saw five Olympic and two world records set.

Her tearful fellow countryman Shi Zhiyong then made it four successive wins for China in the men’s 69kg event, finishing with a 352kg total ahead of Turkey’s Daniyar Ismayilov with 351kg and bronze medallist Izzat on 339kg.

After Deng, 23, equalled the Olympic snatch record of 115kg, both she and Chloe claimed Olympic records in the clean and jerk, but Deng’s 147kg final effort setting in a new 63kg total world mark of 262kg - up from 261kg.

Chloe took the silver medal and Karina Goricheva of Kazakhstan the bronze.

"Yesterday I was sad that my teammate Chen Lijun had muscle cramps during competition and withdrew," said Shi.

“After seeing his condition I kept reminding myself to relax and be well prepared for today's competition as I know it can get quite cold in Rio at night.

"In April at the Chinese National Championships I lifted the same amount I did today, but I only came second and the tears I cried that day were just a way to release the pressure.

“I was also competing at my hometown province and there were so many expectations from my hometown people.

“At the time I couldn't change the second place result, so I got pretty emotional.

"Today I fulfilled their expectations and that's why I cried today."

Shi, the 22-year-old world champion, did just enough to push Ismayilov into second place, where he earned Turkey the first medal of these Games.