Morghan King was first weightlifter from the United States to take the platform at the 2016 Rio Olympics. King, in the 48kg weight class, competed Saturday night against 11 other female lifters.
King successfully snatched 80kg on her first attempt. After missing her second attempt, 82kg, King came back with a 1kg increase to 83kg. The attempt would be for a new American Record. King nailed the lift and broke the 16-year American Record held by Tara Nott.
For the clean and jerks, King hit her first attempt at 100kg, but then missed her next two attempts at 103kg. King finished the day with an 83-100–183 total, good for 6th place overall. The 183kg total beats her finish at the Olympic Trials by 3kg.
Sopita Tanasan (Thailand) won the 48kg weight class easily with a 200kg total, beating Sri Wahyuni Agustiani’s (Indonesia) 192kg by 8kg. Hiromi Miyake (Japan) took third place.
Final Podium
| Rank | Athlete | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Total |
| 1 | Tanasan, Sopita | 92 | 108 | 200 |
| 2 | Agustiani, Sri Wahyuni | 85 | 107 | 192 |
| 3 | Miyake, Hiromi | 81 | 107 | 188 |
