Weightlifter Devi Kumari Chaudhary of Nepal became the first athlete from the country to win a medal in the 12th South Asian Games on Saturday.

Chaudhary claimed a bronze medal in the women's 53kg weight category. The 31-year old Chaudhary snatched 54kg and lifted 75kg in clean and jerk for a total of 129 kg for the bronze medal finish.

A total of five players had participated in the event where Chaudhary left behind lifters from Pakistan and Bangladesh. India claimed gold, while Sri Lanka took silver.

Women's weightlifting has been included for the first time in the regional games.

Nepali lifter Manisha Ranabhat finished outside podium place in women's 48kg weight division during the 12th South Asian Gaems here at the Bhogeshwari Phukanani Indoor Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday. Ranabhat ended up last in the four-player field after lifting a total 107kg—47kg in snatch and 60 in clean & jerk.

Charu Mirabi of hosts India won gold with a total lift of 170kg. Dinusha Hansani of Sri Lanka claimed silver and Molla Sabira of Bangladesh grabbed bronze medal.