Theron so close to medal

Theron, 20, was in third place until, with Welshwoman Laura Hughes stepped up to attempt a clean and jerk of 129kg. It seemed unlikely as she'd managed just 124kg previously. However, Hughes executed the lift perfectly, to the disappointment of the New Zealand fans.

Regardless, Theron had a lot to be proud of. For a start she is surely the happiest lifter ever to compete in a major event. Very few lifters have the ability to smile while they're actually lifting - such emotions are generally saved until the formalities of the lift are completed.

The North Shore lifter opened the snatch boldly with 95kg, then equalled her personlal best with 98kg and then topped it with 99kg. All lifts were technically excellent and completed with a beaming smile.

On to the clean and jerk, where the New Zealander opened with 117kg. No problem. She moved up to 120kg. No problem again. Then, chasing a medal, she attempted 123kg, 2kg better than she'd ever lifted. With her family and other New Zealand team members urging her on, she nailed the lift. It meant she had set personal bests for the snatch, clean andj erk and total.

For a few moments she was the likely bronze medallist, until Hughes had her say.

The gold medal went to Samoan Seine Stowers, who would have run Theron close for happiest human being in Glasgow, with the silver taken by Isabella Brown of England.

Not surprisingly, Theron was bubbling with excitement afterwards. 'I feel so amazing. It was such fun,' she said. 'I lifted well. I think I got better as I went on. I was really pushing for that 123 in the clean and jerk and once i cleaned it, I knew I'd have the jerk. I've never been in a competition before where I feel I did all I could, got every kilo out of myself.'

She summed up her experience rather poetically: 'My gold medal was lifting so well and having all my family here.'