Mirabai Chanu, the Indian weightlifter, has won the nation its first gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the women’s 49kg category, lifting 201kg. 

The athlete from Manipur defended her title and lived up to the record lift of 88kg, set last time. Chanu had set out to break her own record and attempted a 90kg lift in the Snatch category, but couldn’t pull it off. In the Clean and Grab, she managed an impressive 113kg lift. 

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Congratulations have already started pouring in, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leading by example. The BJP member tweeted, “Every Indian is delighted that she’s won a Gold and set a new Commonwealth record at the Birmingham Games. Her success inspires several Indians, especially budding athletes”, noting that the 27-year-old has made India proud again. 

Meanwhile, Amit Shah celebrated the gold too, saying “Indian weightlifters keeping the Indian flag flying high”, and addressed Chanu, saying “You’ve shown remarkable grit and tenacity. The nation is proud of your achievement.” 

Today has indeed been a day for Indian weightlifters, and not “wrestlers” as Shah said in a now-deleted tweet. Sanket Sargar won silver in the 55kg men’s weightlifting category, while Gururaja Poojary brought home the bronze in the 61kg category. Interestingly, the athlete from Karnataka had started out as a wrestler before shifting to weightlifting. 

Also Read | CWG 2022: Sanket Sargar wins silver for India, sportsworld reacts

Sambit Patra, national spokesperson of the BJP, didn’t hold back the praises either, saying “Heartiest congratulations to the CWG defending champion and the pride of India, @mirabai_chanu for once again clinching a Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, in the 49 Kg category of weightlifting. We salute your determination. What an inspiration!” 

Union Minister Piyush Goyal added that Chanu is the “golden girl” and said India’s first gold was thanks to the “fantastic performance in the women’s 49kg category”. He signed off, saying, “Truly phenomenal!”