Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu clinched a silver medal in the 49kg category at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday to open India’s account at the game. The 26-year-old lifted a total of 202kg (87kg+115kg). 

Mirabai attempted 84kg in her first snatch attempt. She lifted 87kg in her next attempt and raised the weight to 89kg, which was a kg more than her personal best of 88kg. However, she was unable to better her personal best and settled for 87kg only behind China’s Hou Zhihui, who created a new Olympic record with an effort of 94kg. 

Watch: Mirabai Chanu’s second attempt in which she lifted 87kgs and won India its first medal at the Tokyo Olympics

Following her win, the weightlifter from Manipur said, “I am very happy, I have been dreaming of this for the past five years. I am very proud of myself right now. I did try for gold but even silver is a great achievement for me.”

“I am very happy to win the first medal for India at these Games. I don’t just belong to Manipur, I belong to the whole country. I would like to thank my coach Vijay Sharma and the support staff for their continuous hard work, motivation and training,” she added.

Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi, President Ramnath Kovind and several athletes took to social media to congratulate her.

“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,” PM Modi tweeted with the hashtag ‘Cheer4India’.

“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 wrote.

“You didn’t just lift weights and pick a medal there, champion. You lifted a nation that needed to find joy and you did it with the widest smile. Take a bow,” Sunil Chhetri tweeted.