Russia’s Olympic ban and China’s ruthless selection policy helped pave the way for Thailand’s Sopita Tanasan win the first weightlifting gold medal of the Rio Games in the women’s 48kg.

Tanasan, daughter of an international boxer, became Thailand’s fourth gold medallist in women’s weightlifting with a total of 200 kilogrammes.

China had the favourite for the contest in Hou Zhihui, who lifted 210kgs in her National Champion-ships in April. But, being allowed to enter only four lifters overall, she was sent home from China’s pre-Games training camp in Sao Paulo last week when they decided they had a better chance in the heaviest category, +75kg.

Hou injured her knee in July but thought she had recovered enough to compete. However, Wang Guoxin, head coach of China’s women’s team, opted instead to send for Meng Suping.

He said the decision was influenced by Russia’s ban from Rio for “bringing the sport into disrepute” with their doping record.

Once that ban was confirmed it meant the hot favourite in the +75kg, Tatiana Kashirina, would not compete.

“Yes, Kashirina’s absence did give us a big opportunity to win in that division, because only Meng and Kashirina have the ability to lift over 300kg in total,” said Wang.

Tanasan, 21, won by eight kilogrammes from Indonesia’s Sri Wahyuni Agustiani.

In third place was Japan’s Hiromi Miyake, the 2012 silver medallist who was competing in her fourth Games.