Sweden’s Stina Akemalm clinched women's under 47kg gold ©International Powerlifting Federation

Britain’s Joy Nnamani and Sweden’s Stina Akemalm were among the winners as elite competition began at the World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Calgary.

The start of elite action followed the completion of junior and masters competition, which has featured on the opening days of the Championships.

Akemalm would clinch the first title of the day by producing a series of impressive lifts in the women’s under 47 kilogram division.

The Swedish lifter would achieve a total lift of 362.5kg across the disciplines at the Rally Pointe Center in the Canadian city.

She finished narrowly ahead of Finland’s Hanna Rantala, who ended as the runner-up with a total lift of 306kg.

Canada’s Rhonda Wong would claim the bronze medal, as she finished with 347.5kg.

Britain’s Nnamani would set new standards in the women’s 52kg competition, including a world record deadlift of 195.5kg.

It would help her to achieve a total world record of 430.5kg, which led to the Briton claiming the division’s gold medal.

United States’ Marisa Inda achieved a total of 420kg to secure the silver medal.

The podium was completed by Russia’s Olga Golubeva, who finished on 410kg.

There was Russian gold in the men’s 59kg competition, with Sergey Fedosieno topping the podium.

He ended with a total lift of 664kg, aided by a world record deadlift of 274kg.

Ecuador’s Franklin Leon ended some way adrift on 602.5kg to end as the silver medallist, while Russia’s Evgenii Mukhomedianov secured bronze on 570kg.