China's Chen Yanqing smashed the Olympic record on her way to claiming the 58kg weightlifting gold medal.
Chen lifted 107.5kg in the snatch before hoisting 130kg in the clean and jerk for a record total of 237.5kg.
North Korea's Ri Song-Hui repeated her performance at the Sydney Games by grabbing the silver with 232.5kg and Thailand's Wandee Kameaim took bronze.
Briton Michaela Breeze equalled her British record in the clean and jerk to finish in ninth place overall.
The teacher from Devon did well to creep into the top ten with a total of 212.5kg.
Chen completed a dramatic return to the sport after quitting in 2000 after failing to be selected for Sydney.
The 25-year-old went to university but decided to resume full-time training last November.
China's four female lifters, dubbed the "Bar Belles", were expected to complete a clean sweep across the categories in Athens but Li Zhuo had to settle for silver in the 48kg.