Tokyo Olympic 2020- A class VIII chapter changed the life of weightlifter Mirabai Chanu
Mirabai Chanu has become the second Indian weightlifter to win a medal at the Olympics. She has won silver medal in 49 kg category in Tokyo Olympics 2020. Before Mirabai Chanu, Karnam Maleswari won a bronze medal in the 2020 Sydney Olympics. Lets have a look at Mirabai Chanu’s life…
Father – Saikhom Kriti Meitei
Mother – Saikhom Ongbi Tombi Leima
Born – 8 August 1994
Age – 26
State – Manipur
Childhood
Chanu was born on 8 August 1994 in Nongpak Kankching village of Manipur. Initially Mirabai’s dream was to become an archer but due to some reasons she had to choose weightlifting as her career. The life of Mirabai coming from Manipur has been full of struggle. Mirabai has five siblings. Often the family had to bring wood to light the stove. Her childhood was spent collecting firewood from the mountain. She has been a master of lifting heavy causes since childhood.
Mirabai wanted to become an archer but by the time she reached class eight, her goal changed. In fact, the famous weightlifter Kunjrani was mentioned in the class eight book. Kunjarani is the most decorated woman in Indian weightlifting history. No Indian woman weightlifter has won more medals than Kunjarani. It was decided in class eight that now only weight has to be lifted. With this, Mirabai’s career started.
Record
Chanu won a silver medal in the women’s 48 kg weight category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow. Chanu made her place in the Rio Olympics by defeating her inspiration weightlifter Kunjrani in the qualifying match of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Mirabai won the gold medal in the 48 kg category in the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships.
At the same time, Chanu also won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in 2018. During the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent in April 2021, Mirabai Chanu set a new world record by lifting 119kg in women’s 49kg clean and jerk. Chanu, on the other hand, had to settle for a bronze medal in the Asian meet due to poor performance in the snatch.
Awarded
She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution to sports. She was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award by the Government of India in the year 2018. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh honored Chanu and gave her a prize of Rs 20 lakh.
