By Elizabeth Hudson BBC Sport in Athens

Day eight photos Latest results

Welshwoman Emma Brown successfully retained her -82.5kg Paralympic powerlifting title in a dramatic final.

The 25-year-old produced first-time lifts of 127.5kg and 130kg but was challenged by Frenchwoman Carine Burgy who managed 130kg with her second lift.

Brown went for her third lift at 132.5kg but failed to make it.

She then had an anxious few moments as her opponent took her final lift but Burgy also missed out, leaving Brown the champion once again.

The performance of Burgy really took me by surprise Emma Brown

As well as winning the title at the Sydney Games four years ago, Brown is also the world record holder, and has won golds at World championships and five European Championships.

Brown admitted afterwards that the competition had been nerve-wracking all the way through.

"There was definitely extra pressure on me coming into the competition as defending champion," she said.

"I was very nervous before it started and it didn't improve much even when I got into the hall, which is probably the best venue I have ever competed in.

"The performance of Burgy really took me by surprise as I thought my main challenge would come from the competitors from Egypt and China.

"But it was great to see two European lifters battling it out for gold.

"I'm not too worried about the fact that I failed to lift 132.5kg," she added.