Tokyo Olympics: Mirabai Chanu bags silver medal, PM Modi elated

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu opened India’s account in the Tokyo Olympics and bagged a silver medal in the women’s 49 KG category. Chanu lifted a total of 202 Kg (87kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk) during her four successful attempts across the competition. With this win, Mirabai Chanu became the second Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari to bag an Olympic medal. Karnam Malleswari bagged bronze in the 69kg category at the 2000 Sydney Games.

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China’s Hou Zhihui, the current world record holder bagged the gold, lifting a total of 210 Kg, creating a new world record. Indonesia's Aisah Windy Cantika won bronze with a total of 194 kg.

Mirabai Chanu entered the competition at 84 kg in the snatch category and was successful in her first lift. She then lifted 87 Kg before failing to lift 89 KG in her third attempt. She was successful in lifting 110 KG and 115 KG in her first two clean and jerk attempts. However, she failed to lift 117 KG in the third attempt but was assured of a silver by then.

Indian PM Narendra Modi extended his wishes to Mirabai Chanu.

"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," PM Modi tweeted.

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

"I am very happy, I have been dreaming of this for the past five years. I am very proud of myself right now. I did try for gold but even silver is a great achievement for me," Chanu told reporters after her career-defining triumph for which she had been training in the US for past few months.