Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu with Union Ministers Anurag Thakur and Kiren Rijiju during their felicitation ceremony in New Delhi
sports minister Anurag Thakur Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu on Monday lauded her for creating history by winning a medal on day one at the Tokyo Olympics, a feat unparalleled by an Indian athlete in the history of the Games.
“The first day, the first medal, nobody did. You brought smiles on the faces of 135 crore Indians and the entire nation is proud of you,” Thakur said during the felicitation ceremony of the little lifter and his coach Vijay Sharma at his residence here. ” . [Follow LIVE Coverage of 2020 Tokyo Olympics]
Chanu, who returned home on Monday evening, lifted a total of 202kg (87kg + 115kg) in the 49kg category to better Karnam Malleswari’s bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics on Saturday.
With that performance, she banished the ghosts of the 2016 Games, where she failed to log a single legitimate lift, leaving her shattered.
Thakur said, “You have created history. It is a great achievement.”
The late night felicitation ceremony was also attended by Sports Minister (Sports) Nisith Pramanik, Thakur’s predecessor and current Union ministers in the Modi government. Kiren Rijiju and Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of the North-Eastern Region. Kishan Reddy among others.
“Her (Chanu’s) success also shows how the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) program has played a vital role in the development of our athletes and boosting India’s medal hopes,” the Sports Minister said.
He added that Chanu’s success will inspire a generation of athletes, especially from the north-eastern region of the country.
Chanu dedicated his medal to the whole country, if the government had not supported his dream, his dream would have remained incomplete.
“It’s like a dream come true for me. I’ve been training for this moment for years and I’m glad it came right for me at the biggest stage of them all, the Olympic Games,” she said.
“I dedicate the medal to the entire nation who stood by me and supported me through my difficult times.”
“A visit to USA last year to address issues related to my shoulder was instrumental in my journey to this medal. I am grateful for all the support from the Government of India without which this Olympic medal journey would not have been possible,” she added.
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