EDDIE Halstead, club coach to Denholme's Rebekah Tiler, is optimistic that she will be selected for the Rio Olympics.

Zoe Smith, her main rival for the berth to South America in August, withdrew after two failed lifts in the 63kg women's category at the Cybex British Championships last weekend at Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old former Bingley Grammar School pupil Rebekah was breaking two British senior records in the 69kg section – 102kg in the snatch (the previous record of 101kg had stood since 2006) and 227kg for the overall total.

With the one women's place for Rio due to be announced early next month (British Weight Lifting will make their choice next Tuesday before submitting it to the British Olympic Association), 22-year-old Commonwealth champion Smith looked in distress, clutching her right shoulder area, as she failed her first two attempts to snatch 92kg.

Halstead said: "I am optimistic about Rebekah's chances.

"I saw a video of Zoe's lifts and it looked like a rotator cuff injury. She has gone for an MRI scan, so word should filter back to us about the result of that by tomorrow.

"She still has a few weeks to recover, but even if Zoe is selected, Rebekah must stay active as she will be the reserve and could make Rio if Zoe pulls out injured.

"It is like Rebekah has two bites of the cherry."

British Weight Lifting chief executive officer Ashley Metcalfe said: "We will have the time to assess the extent of Zoe's injury before any decisions regarding Olympic selection can be made.

"Our aim is to take the strongest team possible to Rio. The selection meeting for both the men's and women's places is on Tuesday (June 21) before the final team announcement to follow in early July."

Tiler went head to head with Emily Godley at 69kg for the first time since January at the English Championships, when the latter edged first place on bodyweight after both had recorded totals of 210kg.

Godley was first up this time, securing 91kg in the snatch, followed by a new personal best of 94kg before missing 97kg on her third lift.

Having missed her opening lift, Mytholmroyd Weightlifting Club member Tiler went on to secure 98kg before beating her existing British record by 2kg with a snatch of 102kg, putting her in pole position going into the clean and jerk.

Godley opened the next round of lifts with 116kg, followed by 120kg and another personal best.

However, it wasn't quite enough to beat the teenager, who achieved 125kg in her second lift before narrowly missing out on beating the British clean and jerk record with a failed attempt at 128kg.

Godley finished second with 214kg, which was a third personal best for the Europa Weightlifting Club athlete.

British Weight Lifting performance scholarship athlete Grace Lilley was third with 170kg.

Halstead said: "Rebekah got a bit excited with her first lift but she was buzzing after breaking that national snatch record.

"Her hands were shaking and I told her to go for a bit of a walk to calm down. It worked and she lifted 122kg and then 125kg before failing at 128kg.

"It was all very emotional at the end of the event.

"She will need to lift a total of 230kg if she wants to get anywhere if she is chosen for the Olympics, but first she has the World Junior Championships in Georgia from June 23 to July 2.

"Rebekah is resting this week but then another cycle of preparation begins for a major championship.

"We start her off at 80 per cent and then build up so that by the time the championships comes around, Rebekah is at 105 per cent."

Tiler was optimistic before travelling to Coventry, putting on her Facebook page: "I feel strong and confident. I did my starters on Monday, and they felt good with 95kg and 120kg. I want to do my best total and hope to be selected for the Olympics."

Afterwards she wrote: "Lifted today in the RICOH Arena at the British Seniors. I snatched 102kg and 125kg in the clean and jerk, making 227kg.

"I feel really good and hope that it is enough for Rio. I tried 128kg. I got a strong clean but missed the jerk."

She later tweeted: "Had an awesome day at the British seniors champs – smashed two records."