Eko Yuli Irawan captured the first medal for Indonesia in his Olympic debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, taking the bronze in the 56-kilogram weightlifting division on Sunday.

However, compatriot Raema Lisa Rumbewas -- double Olympics silver medalist -- failed to make a hat trick after finishing fourth in the women's 53 kg at the quadrennial event.

Eko lifted a total of 288 kg to take third place behind gold medalist Long Qingquan of China at 292 kg and silver medalist Hoang Anh Tuan of Vietnam at 290 kg.

Eko's total lift was made up of 130 kg in snatch and 158 kg in clean and jerk.

"I'm so proud to be able to be part of Olympic history for Indonesia. This is the first medal (for Indonesia) at the Beijing Olympics," said a jubilant Eko, whose achievement proved to live up to his pre-tournament expectations.

In the snatch lift, the 19-year-old started with 125 kg, the same weight as Long but a kilogram lighter than Hoang. He failed in his second attempt to lift 130 kg before finally succeeding in the third.

In the clean and jerk lift, he started with 152 kg, three kg lighter than Long and Hoang. However, Eko failed to lift 158 kg in the second attempt while Long managed to pull to 160 kg. Hoang also failed in the 160 kg attempt.

Eko succeeded in the third attempt but Hoang surpassed him with his 160 kg lift. Long tried a lift of 164 kg but to no avail.

"I talked with Eko about what happened in the second attempt. He said he didn't feel powerful enough to make the attempt," coach Lukman said.

"I didn't want to force him to lift more than 158 kilograms in the clean and jerk's third attempt. I believe it would have been very risky," he added.

Eko's victory was a relief to National Sports Council chairwoman Rita Subowo, who had said Saturday that in her capacity as a member of International Olympics Committee she would award a medal to Eko at the weightlifting event.

Eko said he hoped to compete at the 2012 Olympics.

"However, I will compete in a higher class and definitely hope to earn a silver or a gold," he said.

Earlier, Lisa fell short of making it a medal streak in the Olympics after she could only lift a total of 206 kg to finish fourth in the women's 53 kg.

The gold went to Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarak of Thailand with a total lift of 221 kg.

The Thai also recorded a new Olympics record in the clean and jerk lift at 126 kg. The old record was 125 kg set by China's Yang Xia in 2000.

The silver went to Yoon Jinhee of South Korea with 95 kg in snatch and 119 kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 213 kg. Nastassia Novikava of Belarusia grabbed the bronze with 95 kg in snatch and 118 kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 213 kg.

"I apologize to the people of Indonesia for failing to win another medal," Lisa, who won silvers in 2000 and 2004, told the press. "I tried my best. Of course, I am very disappointed."

She acknowledged that her preparation was abbreviated compared to four years ago. "I only prepared for the Olympics after finishing the National Games (PON) last month," she said.

Coach and mother Ida Aldamina Korwa said Lisa was upset when Ida set the first lifting attempt at 110 kg, saying she wanted to start the lift with 115 kg instead.

"Maybe our strategy was wrong. She didn't have enough break during the snatch. That's why she was already tired when she was going to lift 95 kg."

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