Mirabai Chanu Lifts First Medal For India At Tokyo Olympics, Bags A Silver

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu bagged the India’s first medal at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics with a silver in women’s 49kg category.

Mirabai Chanu ended India’s 21-year draught for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics by clinching a silver medal in the 49kg category to open the country’s account here on Saturday. The 26-year-old lifted a total of 202kg (87kg+115kg) to better Karnam Malleswari’s bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. With this, she exorcised the ghosts of the 2016 Games where she had failed to log a single legitimate lift. The gold went to China’s Hou Zhihui with an effort of 210kg (94kg+116kg) , while Aisah Windy Cantika of Indonesia took home the bronze with an effort of 194kg (84kg+110kg).

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Mirabai Chanu for winning the Silver medal in weightlifting at Tokyo Olympics 2020.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, “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”