Picture Credit: Twitter
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu created history on Saturday as she clinched a historic silver medal for her country at Tokyo Olympics 2020. After a disappointing outing in Rio Olympics 2016, it was redemption time for Mirabai in Tokyo. It has been an incredible 5-year journey for the weightlifter from Manipur since then and all her efforts and hard work reaped rewards on Day 2 of this year's mega event.
Participating in the 49kgs category women's weightlifting event, the 26-year-old rose to the occasion when it mattered the most as she lifted 87 kgs in the snatch before pulling off an outstanding 115 kgs in the clean and jerk. An impressive total of 202 kgs lift secured a much-deserved silver medal for India's weightlifting sensation - Mirabai Chanu. Her heroics also opened India's medal tally at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Mirabai Chanu creates history in Tokyo
As the entire nation applauded and celebrated Mirabai's remarkable feat, there was quite an electric atmosphere at her hometown back in Nongpok Kakching, Imphal. Video footage from her place is doing the rounds on social media where Mirabai's family members, friends and a lot of young children can be seen supporting India's star athlete. Far away from Tokyo, all her well-wishers were supporting Mirabai and it was indeed their blessings and Mirabai's dedication that eventually resulted in a historic moment for Indian sports.
Watch the video here:
Chanu wore Olympics-ring shaped earrings in Tokyo
As some of the fans pointed out, Mirabai Chanu was indeed seen wearing Olympics-ring shaped earrings on Saturday. The weightlifter had also revealed the story behind her earrings a few years back. She had said, "The earrings were gifted to me by mother, two months after Rio Olympics, and I still wear it. I was very disappointed after Rio and so my mother gifted it to me, perhaps, to motivate me."
The blessings of her mother certainly inspired Mirabai Chanu to fulfil her dreams and achieve greatness as she has never looked back since her Rio Olympics disappointment. She secured gold medals in the 2017 World Championships and 2018 Commonwealth Games in the 48kgs category. After clinching a bronze medal in the Asian Championships in 2020 in the 49 kgs category, she finally secured a historic silver medal in the same category at Tokyo Olympics 2020.