Beijing Olympic medal coverage: Chen and Pang give China near perfect start in medal race

But the immense pressure to claim the opening medal of the Games proved too much for Du Li, who failed to defend her women’s 10m Air Rifle title and finished fifth. Tan Xue, meanwhile, crashed out of the women’s sabre fencing competition in the quarter-finals, depriving China of a podium finish that many expected. Chen and Pang though didn’t disappoint the country’s 1.3 billion people, still puffed with pride after a dazzling opening ceremony showcasing the nation’s ancient civilization and an offer of friendship to the world. Chen, the world champion, set two Olympic records for the women’s 48kg class by lifting 117kg in the clean and jerk on the way to a total lift of 212kg. Turkey’s Sibel Ozkan took silver and Taiwan’s Chen Wei-Ling the bronze.

Mariel Zagunis won gold. Sada Jacobson took silver. Becca Ward earned the bronze. They are the first three medals for Team USA in these Games, and they come in an unlikely sport.