Mirabai Chanu bags India’s 1st gold medal at CWG 2022

Tokyo Olympics medallist Mirabai Chanu has done it again. The champion from Manipur created a new CWG and national record by lifting 88 kg, thereby bagging India’s first gold medal at Birmingham.

Mirabai lifted a total of 201 kg – 88 kg in snatch and 113 kg in clean and jerk – to create a new CWG record as well as her own personal best

Interestingly, it was more or less a foregone conclusion even before the games as to who was winning the gold medal in the women’s 49kg category.

Mirabai was miles ahead of the competition – she was a whopping 25kg better than the second-best in the competition.

As she went on with her lifts, Mirabai went about her job with a smile on her face. She knew she was her own competition. In the three lifts of the snatch, she attempted 84kg and pulled it off with ease.

The best lift for silver medallist Marie Hanitra Ranaivosoa of Mauritius was 76kg, which she managed in her third.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate Mirabai Chanu for bagging gold for India.

Prime Minister Modi said that Mirabai’s success inspires several Indians, especially budding athletes.

“The exceptional @mirabai_chanu makes India proud once again! Every Indian is delighted that she’s won a Gold and set a new Commonwealth record at the Birmingham Games. Her success inspires several Indians, especially budding athletes,” Modi wrote.

Meanwhile, Manipur CM N Biren Singh too took to Twitter and congratulated the gold medallist. He wrote, “Overjoyed & super proud of Manipur’s superstar daughter, @mirabai_chanu on winning India’s first gold at the CWG 2022 in 49kg weightlifting category. Heartiest Congratulations & thanks for bringing laurels to India. You have kept your promise. What a proud moment. Jai Hind!”.