Mirabai Chanu, India’s weightlifting superstar, won the country’s first gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games with a strong victory in the 49 kg women’s weightlifting event.

Chanu, who entered the competition as the overwhelming favourite, won the event with a combined effort of 201 Kg in snatch and clean and jerk.

Also read: CWG 2022: Mirabai Chanu wins India its first gold, nation congratulates her

As Chanu was awarded the gold medal, the stadium filled up with the sounds of the Indian national anthem, during which the athlete can be seen fighting back tears, albeit of joy.

This is Chanu’s third Commonwealth Games medal, following her silver in Glasgow in 2014 and gold in the 48 kg division in Gold Coast in 2018.

Many aspirations were placed on Manipur’s champion weightlifter, and the Rio 2020 Olympic silver medalist delivered for the nation.

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The 27-year-old Imphal native had to bear the responsibility of being the bookies’ favourite to win gold in Birmingham and did so without a hitch.

She was the picture of serenity before her maiden attempt, as she was photographed backstage while all the other competitors tried their hardest to create a challenge worthy of troubling the uncontested Indian weightlifting champion.

But it only took one bid for Chanu to outbid her competitors. She was one and done in the snatch, lifting 84 kilograms on her first effort in the event’s snatch variation.

Also read: CWG 2022: Mirabai Chanu wins India its first gold, nation congratulates her

With a successful lift of 88 kgs on her second attempt, she broke her personal best, Commonwealth Games record, and Commonwealth record. But she wasn’t finished.

Despite failing to reach the desired 90 Kgs mark on her third attempt at the snatch, she entered the clean and jerk form of the event with a gigantic 12-Kilogram lead over her nearest challenger.

Mirabai Chanu began her clean and jerk effort with a 109 Kg, and the defending champion clinched the title with her first attempt.

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She did not stop there, though, as she escalated the challenge on her second effort by lifting 113 kg. She then attempted a 115 Kg lift, which she was unable to achieve.

This is Chanu’s first significant achievement since her Olympic exploits last year.