Womens 49kg Final | 24 Jul 21 | |||||
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (Meitei pronunciation: /sái.kʰom mi.ra.bái cə.nu/; born 8 August 1994) is an Indian weightlifter. 27-year-old Mirabai Chanu lifted a total of 201 kg to win the Gold Medal which was also India's third medal after at the ongoing CWG 2022. She won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the Women's 49 kg category. Mirabai Chanu has won the World Championships and multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games. She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contributions to the sport. She was awarded the sporting honour Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna by the Government of India in 2018.
Chanu won the silver medal in the women's 48 kg weight class at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow; she went on to break the games record en route to the gold medal at the 2018 edition of the event held in Gold Coast. Prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics, her biggest achievement came in 2017, when she won the gold medal at World Weightlifting Championships held in Anaheim, California. She is the current world record holder in Clean & Jerk in the 49 kg category.
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu was born on 8 August 1994 in Nongpok Kakching about 30 km away from Imphal city, Manipur to a Meitei family, a warrior clan of that region. Chanu identified herself as a follower of Sanamahism but also stated she worships Hindu deities as well. Her family identified her strength when she was just 12. She could easily carry a huge bundle of firewood home when her elder brother found it hard to even pick it up.
Mirabai trained at the Sports Academy in Manipur. She hitched rides with truck drivers carrying sand. After winning the Olympic medal, she invited the truck drivers to offer her gratitude and touched their feet as a sign of respect.
Commonwealth Games 2022 India Weightlifting Women | Olympics Silver 2020 India Weightlifting Women | Commonwealth Games 2018 India Weightlifting Women | Commonwealth Games Silver 2014 India Weightlifting Women |