Tokyo [Japan], July 24 (ANI): Ace weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu opened India’s medals tally on Saturday as she bagged a silver in the Women’s 49kg category here at Tokyo International Forum.
Chanu lifted a total of 202 kg (87kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk) during her four successful attempts across the competition. China’s Zhihui Hou bagged gold with a total of 210kg and created a new Olympic Record while Indonesia’s Windy Cantika Aisah grabbed bronze with a total of 194kg.
With this monumental silver medal, Chanu has become the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari bagged bronze in the 69kg category at the 2000 Sydney Games when the weightlifting arena was opened to women for the first time.
Mirabai got off to a flying start after she completed her lift of 84 kg in the first attempt in snatch. Manipur-born weightlifter then proceeded to complete the 87kg weightlift with ease but failed to complete the 89kg lift in her last attempt.
USA’s Jourdan Elizabeth Delacruz posed the only challenge for the Indian weightlifter for 2nd place in the first half of the competition. Delacruz tragically missed equalling her personal best of 89kg — which should have placed her in second spot — when judges overruled her attempt.
Current World record holder Zhihui Hou in snatch as expected created a new Olympic Record with 92kg attempt and then improved on it by completing 94kg lift in the last attempt.
In clean and jerk, the 26-year-old Indian came all guns blazing as she completed her first attempt of 110kg with ease and improved it later by lifting 115 kg.
Mirabai Chanu steals show with silver but shooters fail to shine
Ace weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu stole the show on Day One of the ongoing Tokyo Olympics as she opened India’s medals tally on Saturday after bagging a silver in the Women’s 49kg 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.
In the team events, carrying the hopes of an entire nation to end the 41-year medal drought at the Olympic Games, the Indian men’s Hockey team got off to a rollicking start in their group stage campaign with a strong 3-2 win against New Zealand in a match that went down to the wire.
It was experienced goalkeeper PR Sreejesh who saved the day for India with excellent work in the goal post to stop New Zealand from getting an equaliser in the dying minutes of the match.
Also, India tennis player Sumit Nagal progressed to the second round of the men’s singles. Nagal outclassed Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 in the men’s singles first round on Saturday.
In badminton, the men’s doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy also won their opening Group Stage match.
In table tennis, star player Manika Batra cruised past Briitain’s Tin-Tin Ho into the next round in the women’s singles event.
Table tennis player Sutirtha Mukherjee won her opening game in the women’s singles event.
However, India’s mixed doubles table tennis pair of Achanta Sharath Kamal and Manika failed to qualify for the next round after suffering a heavy 0-4 defeat.
Youngster Saurabh Chaudhary also failed to rise to the challenge in the finals of the men’s 10m air rifle event as he finished seventh at the Tokyo Olympics.
In another heartbreak, the Indian Rower duo of Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh failed to qualify for the semi-final A/B in lightweight Men’s Double Sculls.
Also, India’s mixed team of Deepika Kumari and Pravin Jadhav lost their quarter-final clash of the Archery Mixed Team event.
In what came as a big blow for the Indian shooting contingent, both Elavenil Valarivan and Apurvi Chandela failed to qualify for the medal round after finishing 16th and 36th respectively in the women’s 10m air rifle qualification.
In the afternoon, 29-year-old Vikas Krishnan lost his round of 32 match in the men’s welterweight boxing event and as a result, he has bowed out of the mega event.
India had a chance of ending Day One on a high but the women’s Hockey Team fought valiantly against the World Number 1 Netherlands team in their first encounter before going down on Saturday.
The Netherlands took the lead with an early goal in the 6th minute. However, India fought back and equalized the score in the 10th minute.
After playing out a goalless second quarter, the Netherlands took complete control of the match and scored four goals in the second half to seal a 5-1 victory.
Manipur CM announces Rs 1 crore cash reward for Mirabai Chanu
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that the state government will be giving a cash award of Rs 1 crore to weightlifter Mirabai Chanu for clinching the silver medal in Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.
Mirabai Chanu opened India’s medals tally on Saturday as she bagged a silver in the women’s 49kg category at Tokyo International Forum and Sports Minister Thakur spoke to her.
“In presence of all the Chief Ministers of northeast today at a meeting, I broke the news about your win. That Mirabai Chanu has opened the tally for India in Olympics with a silver medal,” Biren Singh said to Chanu while congratulating her.
“On hearing the news, Amit Shahji was so delighted and he said ‘it’s a moment of great pride for India.’ Everyone along with Amit Shahji gave a standing ovation during the conference. The state government will be giving you a sum of Rs 1 crore.
“You won’t be collecting tickets at railway stations and in trains anymore. I’m reserving a special post for you. I’m meeting the Union Home Minister in the evening. I have a surprise for you,” he added.
Chanu lifted a total of 202 kg (87kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk) during her four successful attempts in the competition. China’s Zhihui Hou bagged gold with a total of 210kg and created a new Olympic Record while Indonesia’s Windy Cantika Aisah grabbed bronze with a total of 194kg.
“Everyone in Manipur prayed for me and I have won a silver medal. I can’t be more happier. I’m here today because of their support,” said Chanu.
Chanu had said earlier in the day that it is a dream come true and also thanked the entire country for praying for her victory.
Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid foundation stones of several projects in Shillong on Saturday.
Manipur govt to appoint Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu as Additional SP
Manipur Government on Monday decided to appoint Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu as Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports) in the police department.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh made the announcement during the inspection of the installation of the cryogenic oxygen plant at Porompat and the construction of COVID hospital by DRDO at Kyamgei on Monday.
“Mirabai Chanu would also be rewarded with Rs 1 crore as announced by the government,” he told media persons.
He also said Olympian Judoka Likmabam Sushila Devi would be promoted from the post of Constable to Sub-Inspector.
The Chief Minister said that all the participants would be given Rs 25 lakh each. He also said the state government had decided to establish a world-class weightlifting academy in the state soon.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu on Monday returned to India after a spectacular show in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. The silver medallist underwent a mandatory RT-PCR test at the Delhi airport.
Chanu received a warm welcome as the staff at the Delhi airport cheered for her upon her arrival from Tokyo.
Tokyo Olympics: PM Modi, President Kovind hail Mirabai Chanu after weightlifter bags silver
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur congratulated India’s ace weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu after she opened India’s medals tally at Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Saturday with a silver in the Women’s 49kg category.
“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.
“Heartiest congratulations to Mirabai Chanu for starting the medal tally for India in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 by winning silver medal in weightlifting,” President Kovind tweeted.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Thakur also took to Twitter and wrote, “India’s 1st medal on day 1 ! @mirabai_chanu wins SILVER in women’s 49kg weightlifting! India is so proud of you Mira ! #TeamIndia #Tokyo2020.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated the weightlifter as he tweeted: “Congratulations to @mirabai_chanu for winning a hard earned and well deserved Silver Medal in the Women Weightlifting competition at the #OlympicGames in Tokyo. She has made the nation proud with her amazing achievement.” (ANI)
