Rio de Janeiro: A female athlete from the favelas won Brazil's first gold medal of the Rio Games on Monday as Michael Phelps stepped up his campaign for yet more Olympic honours. Rafaela Silva, who grew up in Rio's notorious City of God slum, upset world number one Sumiya Dorjsuren to win the women's under-57kg judo, sparking pandemonium among fans. Silva sank to her knees in delight after a win that jump-starts Brazil's Olympic campaign and secures only their second medal after Felipe Wu's shooting silver.

Gold medallist Brazil's Rafaela Silva kisses celebrates on the podium of the women's -57kg judo contest of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Pic/AFP