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Mirabai Chanu scripted another piece of history after winning India's first gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 in Birmingham with a 201 kg lift in the Clean and Jerk and Snatch events of the 49 kg category on Saturday (July 30) night. It was India's third medal of the day, and the third for the weightlifters as well, as the Manipuri native backed up her silver medal-winning show from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
As her event went live at 10:30 at night in India, the residents of Nongpok Kakching in Imphal East district, which is Chanu's native place, were glued to the television sets. And as her Gold was confirmed, they burst into joy.
Her mother Tombi Devi said she could not sleep on the night before the competition and was only praying for her victory. "I am so proud of her. We stayed up late last night to see her event. Now, her sisters, relatives and neighbours are celebrating with tricolour, and some are indulging in the traditional Thabal Chongba dance," she said.
Chanu went on a record-smashing spree, claiming four separate ones in a power-packed performance and helped the country to their first gold medal at the Games. Mirabai lifted 113kg to get close to her Olympics total in clean and jerk. She lifted a combined weight of 201 kg, one less than she achieved to win silver in 2021. However, 201 kg is a record lift in CWG history.
Adding to the adulations was the state Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who said he was super proud of Manipur's 'superstar daughter.
"There's no better feeling than seeing our tricolour fly high on the world stage. The entire nation is proud of you Mirabai," he said.
This is Mirabai’s second gold medal at the CWG. In Gold Coast CWG 2018, she won the gold medal. Earlier, in Glasgow CWG 2018, she won the silver medal.
