Mirabai Chanu ended India’s 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics by clinching a silver medal in the 49kg category to open the country’s account.
The 26-year-old lifted a total of 202kg to finish second to China’s Hou Zhihoi, who won the gold with an Olympic record of 210 kgs. She is the second Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in weightlifting since Karnam Malleswari’s bronze in the Sydney Games in 2000.
Mirabai Chanu lifted 84kg and 87kg successfully in the snatch event but failed to lift 89kg as she was placed in the second spot Zhihu, who lifted 94kg to create an Olympic record. The bronze was won by Indonesia’s Aisah Windy Cantika with an effort of 194kg.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the entire country is elated at weightlifter Mirabai Chanu’s achievement. Adding that her feat will inspire the future generations, he wrote, “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.”
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 pic.twitter.com/B6uJtDlaJo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2021
Union sports minister Anurag Thakur also took to Twitter to congratulate her and wrote that the country is proud of her.
India’s 1st medal on day 1 !@mirabai_chanu wins SILVER in women’s 49kg weightlifting! 🥈ðŸ‹ï¸
India 🇮🇳 is so proud of you Mira !#TeamIndia #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/QSqI7XTHbV
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) July 24, 2021
