TOKYO OLYMPICS 2020: Manipur’s Saikhom Mirabai Chanu becomes 1st Indian weightlifter to win silver in Olympics

Mirabai lifted 84kg and 87kg successfully. She however failed to lift 89kg as she was placed in the second spot after snatch while China’s HOU Zhihu lifted 94kg to create an Olympic record.

TFM Desk

Manipur weightlifter star Saikhom Mirabai Chanu created history on Saturday as she became the first Indian weightlifter to win the silver medal at the Olympic Games. She also became the first Indian to win an Olympic medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games in the Women’s 49kg category. China’s Hou Zhihui clinched the gold medal.

Finally its a dream come true for me. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/e6ewz3cNXO

— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) July 24, 2021

So good to speak to our Champion @mirabai_chanu today.@narendramodi @AmitShah @ianuragthakur @JPNadda @blsanthosh pic.twitter.com/1phL16ibh3

— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) July 24, 2021

Mirabai is the second weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari (who won bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics) to win an Olympics medal for India. A new Olympic record was registered by Mirabai with a successful lift of 115kg in clean and jerk.

https://twitter.com/PIB_India/status/1418827690786705409

🥈 Mirabai Chanu appreciation post 🥈#Tokyo2020 | #UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/V7SlgQ20Xl

— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) July 24, 2021

Let me first congratulate #MirabaiChanu. A big thank you & thank you on behalf of PM Modi and the entire country for bringing a big smile on the faces of 135 crore Indians. First day, first medal, a silver medal. You made the country proud: Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur pic.twitter.com/Dp6PL1VG12

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2021

#WATCH | Manipur: Family and neighbours of weightlifter Mirabai Chanu burst into celebrations as they watch her win the #Silver medal for India in Women's 49kg category. #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/F2CjdwpPDc

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2021

Congratulations #MirabaiChanu on making #IND proud and bringing us GLORY. Our first medal at the #Tokyo2020 #Olympics, SILVER medal in the Women's 49kg #weightlifting . #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/8nK8xHKNYG

— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) July 24, 2021

Mirabai lifted 84kg and 87kg successfully. She however failed to lift 89kg as she was placed in the second spot after snatch while China’s HOU Zhihu lifted 94kg to create an Olympic record. Mirabai Chanu equaled her personal best in a snatch of 87kg. She lifted 87kg in Snatch when she won the gold medal at the World Championships in 2017. (With inputs from agencies)