Sarah Robles, who spent a two-year doping ban working odd jobs in department stores, on Sunday became the first American in 16 years to win an Olympic weightlifting medal - providing a huge boost for the sport's image in the US.

Robles claimed bronze in the women's over 75kg category, behind Chinese gold medalist Meng Suping, just over a year after returning to competitive action following her suspension for taking anabolic steroids.

The 28-year-old lifted a combined total of 286kg to become the first US lifter since the Sydney 2000 Games to step on the podium.

Kim Kuk-hyang of DPR Korea took silver.

Robles faced opposition from other American lifters who opposed her inclusion on US teams since she returned from her ban in August 2015.

"There's been opposition here and there. I knew going into the squad that I was going to have to be like Teflon," she said.

"Sometimes you read negative comments about yourself that aren't nice, but I know what I'm about and I know I work hard and I know that I'm a good and honest person.

"I knew that as soon as I was eligible to compete again I would have to hit the ground running," Robles added.

Asked what she did during her ban she answered:"I got a job like a grown up."

"I was basically training and working three jobs. I worked as a receiving person at Home Depot, I worked as a sign changer at Macy's and I was a receptionist at a veterinary hospital," said Robles, who now receives government funding and trains full-time.

"I was doing a lot of little things all over the place," she added.

Robles snatched 126kg and lifted 160kg in the clean and jerk.

Tara Nott and Cheryl Haworth won America's last Olympic weightlifting medals.

"I'm so glad to be included in this select few," said Robles.

Meng, who only got called up to the Chinese team at the last minute, lifted a combined total of 307kg, to finish just 1 kg ahead of Kim.

The 27-year-old Meng's first-place finish was China's fifth weightlifting gold medal at Rio.

"I did my duty for my country and for my team," said Meng.

She lifted 130kg in the snatch and 177kg with her final clean and jerk to push a devastated Kim into second place.

"I was sad that I couldn't make gold," said a tearful Kim, who declined to answer more than one question.

Kim served a doping ban from November 2012 to November 2014.

(China Daily 08/16/2016 page5)