Action has begun at the African Weightlifting Championships ©African Weightlifting Championships

Hosts Mauritius, Madagascar and Algeria were among the winners on the opening days of the African Weightlifting Championships in Mahébourg.

Competition is scheduled to take place over five days at the Pointe Jerome Multi-Purpose Hall. 

A depleted field is taking place, however, with continental powerhouses like Nigeria not present.

Roilya Ranaiuosoa was one of two home winners on the opening day.

She triumphed in the women's under-53 kilograms division with a combined total of 180 kilograms after the snatch and clean and jerk.

It followed her under-48kg silver medal at this year's Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

Seychelles' Telemaque Kathsia was second with 115kg and Mapolinyane Lehohla of Lesotho third with 78kg.

Jonathan Coret also triumphed in the men's under-62kg event with a total of 241kg.

He only won by 2cm, however, over Algeria's Abd El Kader Ain Ouazane after his rival closed the gap slightly in the clean and jerk.

Roilya Ranaiuosoa of Mauritius, pictured competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, was among the home winners ©Getty Images
Roilya Ranaiuosoa of Mauritius, pictured competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, was among the home winners ©Getty Images

Riaze Daryh of Seychelles was third with 180kg.

Madagascar's victory came courtesy of Eric le Amdriaitistouatma in the under-56kg division.

His total of 232kg was enough to beat Habib Lariki of Algeria, who was second with 215kg, and Dorian Madanamoothoo of Mauritius, who was third with 190kg.

Fatima Zohra Laghouati of Algeria won the women's under-58kg event with a combined 145kg.

Winniy Langat of Kenya was second with 138kg and Priyanka Gopaloodoo of Mauritius third with 95kg.

Karem Ben Hnia of Tunisia clinched under-69kg men's victory.

He lifted 320kg to beat Seychelles' Comfiance Rick, second with 248kg, and Dinesh Pandod of Mauritius, third with 242kg.

Action will continue tomorrow.