Mirabai Chanu made history and ended up the wait of 21 years for the weight lifting medal at the Olympics to win the silver medal in the 49 kgs weightlifting category. Manipur 26 years old girl lifted a total of 202 kgs (87kgs + 115kgs) to won the silver medal behind China’s Hou Zhihui, who won the gold at 210 kg.
Chanu lifted 155 kgs in the jerk while 87 kgs in the clean and helped India to won the first Olympic medal in Tokyo. The first wight lifting medal was won by Karnam Malleswari in 2000 and Chanu become the second India to win the Olympics medal
Chinese weightlifter Hou Zhihui lifted 109kgs in her first attempt and comfortably finished the job. Mirabai Chanu made her first attempted with 110kgs and lifted it effortlessly, in Mirabai Chanu’s second attempt she lifted 115 kgs while on the third attempt she tried 117 kgs but failed and settled herself with the silver medal.