Mirabai Chanu, who missed her elder sister Shaya’s wedding on November 22, gave a special gift to her sibling on Wednesday. The iron lady from Manipur ended India’s 22-year drought with a gold medal in World Championships weightlifting competition in Anaheim, California.
The 23-year-old had a total lift of 194kg (snatch 85kg and 109kg in clean and jerk) to emerge triumphant in the 48kg category and became only the second Indian after Karnam Malleswari to achieve this feat. Mirabai also bettered her personal best by 2kg.
She is the the first Indian in over two decades to win a gold medal at the Championship
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu on Wednesday became the first Indian in over two decades to claim a gold medal at the World weightlifting championship, exorcising the ghosts of her forgettable outing at the Rio Olympics.
Chanu lifted 85kg in snatch and 109kg in clean and jerk to total an impressive 194kg in the 48kg category and in the process set a new National record in clean-and-jerk. Her own previous record was 108kg in June this year.
Olympic bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari had won the top prize in the Worlds twice — in 1994 and 1995.
Thailand’s Sukcharoen Thunya took the silver medal with a total lift of 193, while Segura Ana Iris of Colombia bagged bronze with 182kg.
