Ecuadorian Alexandra Escobar won the first medal of gold for her country, by winning the weight lifting category at the 15th Pan-American Games in Río de Janeiro, with a lift that gave her a new continental record.

The 27 year old of Santo Domingom Esmeraldes, totalled 223.98 in her lift which gave her victory.

The champion beat off fierce competition from Colombia's Rusmeris Villar that won the silver  and from Argentinean María Cecilia Floriddia, who won bronze.