Nirendra Dev
New Delhi: It could not have been a happier start, tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the news of her winning the coveted Olympic medal went viral on social media.
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu of Manipur lifts a total of 202 kg in Weight Lifting, picking up Silver for India in the Tokyo Olympics.
The Gold medal went to China, and the Indonesian won the Bronze.
It could not have been a happier start, tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the news of her winning the coveted Olympic medal went viral on social media.
"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," Mr Modi tweeted.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur was not behind as he also wrote on the microblogging site: "India is so proud of you Mira !"
Union Law Minister and former Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju congratulated Mirabai.
"India strikes first medal at Olympic #Tokyo2020 Mirabai Chanu wins silver Medal in 49 kg Women's Weightlifting and made India proud. Congratulations Mirabai," he tweeted.
On July 20, before leaving for Tokyo, Mirabai had said – "I am confident of winning a medal in Tokyo."
A regular presence in international events since 2014 in the 48 kg category, Chanu had won the World Championships and multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games.
The Government of India awarded her with Padma Shri for her contributions to the sport, and the Government awarded her with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for the year 2018.
Chanu had won the silver medal in the women's 48 kg weight class at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow.
She also created a record en route to the gold medal at the 2018 edition of the event held in Gold Coast.
A major achievement for 26-year-old Chanu, born on August 8, came in 2017 when she won the gold medal at World Weightlifting Championships held in Anaheim, United States.
The story goes that her 'talent' was spotted by the Meitei Hindu members and her parents when she was just 12.
It is said, Mirabhai could easily carry a huge bundle of firewood to her home, which her elder brother found it hard to pick up.
Chanu had qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women's 48 kg category. However, she failed to finish the event as she failed to lift the weight in any of her three attempts in the clean & jerk section.
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