Mirabai with silver medal today in Tokyo Photo source: Wikipedia
Tokyo Olympics- 2020
Tokyo: Weightlifter Chanu Saikhom Mirabai got silver to win India its first Olympic medal at women’s 49 kg event – the first weightlifting event to take place on Day 1 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, today. She finished with a total of 202kg.
China’s HOU Zhihui won the gold medal in the event – the first Olympic gold of her career. She also set three Olympic records: in snatch, she lifted 94kg and 116kg in clean and jerk round, thus finishing with a total 210kg – a new Olympic record. Indonesia’s Windy Cantikah Aisah, who made her Olympic debut today, won bronze with 194 points behind Mirabai.
By winning the silver medal, Mirabai finally found Olympic redemption and buried her Rio 2016 disappointment where she had failed to finish the event, owing to no successful lifts in any of her three attempts in the clean and jerk section.
Born on August 8, 1994 in Nongpok Kakching, Imphal, Mirabai has been a regular presence in international events since 2014 in the 48 kg category. She had won the World Championships and multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games, and was also awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contributions to the sport. She was awarded Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award by the Government of India in 2018.
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi congratulated Mirabai for winning the Silver medal in weightlifting at Tokyo Olympics 2020, and tweeted: “Could not have asked for a happier start to @Tokyo2020! India is elated by @mirabai_chanu’s stupendous performance. Congratulations to her for winning the Silver medal in weightlifting. Her success motivates every Indian. #Cheer4India #Tokyo2020”.
– global bihari bureau
