Lin Tzu-hui claimed the first gold for Chinese Taipei in the Beijing Paralympic Games as she retained the title  of the women`s 75kg category powerlifting here on Sunday.

Lin Tzu-hui of Chinese Taipei team celebrates after claiming the women`s 75kg category powerlifting during the Paralympic Games in Beijing, September 14, 2008. [Xinhua]

Lin took an early lead by lifting 137.5kg in her first attempt. She gave up the second and third attempts as that was enough to earn her the gold.

"I`m really happy," said Lin, winner of the event in 2004 Athens Paralympics. "But I`m not satisfied with my result because I didn`t break the Paralympic record."

The Paralympic mark of 140kg was set by Li Ruifang of China at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.

"It`s not my best result. I could lift 145kg in training," Lin said. "I lowered my body weight too quickly, so I couldn`t lift that much today."

The silver medal went to Randa Tageldin Mohamed of Egypt with 135kg, taking Egypt`s medal total in powerlifting so far to eight. The bronze was won by Zhang Liping of China in 132.5kg.

Mexico`s Catalina Diaz, who won a bronze in this category at the 2004 Athens Paralympics, was unable to repeat that performance and came fourth.

"It was not an easy competition," Lin said. "All the lifters are so strong."