August 11: Mirabai Chanu has been on a roll ever since clinching a silver medal for India in the women’s 49kg weightlifting category at the Tokyo Olympics. In fact, it was Mirabai who had opened India’s medal tally in the recently-concluded Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, the star weightlifter also got the chance to meet one of India’s greatest sportspersons and arguably the best batsman in the world to have played the game on the 22 yards and he is none other than cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar.
Lately, Mirabai Chanu has posted a couple of images of her meeting with Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. In the first image, Sachin can be seen taking a closer look at Chanu’s prestigious Olympic silver medal and in the other one, the 2011 World Winner is presenting a bouquet to the weightlifter.
Loved meeting @sachin_rt Sir this morning! His words of wisdom & motivation shall always stay with me. Really inspired. pic.twitter.com/Ilidma4geY
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) August 11, 2021
Also Read: Tokyo Olympic 2020, women’s weightlifting 49kg: Mirabai Chanu carries the weight of India’s expectations
Mirabai Chanu wins silver at Tokyo Olympics
Chanu started the competition by lifting 84kg in her first attempt during the snatch event. Chanu’s competitor Jourdan Delacruz of the USA lifted 83kg in her first attempt, however, the Indian lifter upped her ante to lift 87kg in her second attempt, while Delacruz in her second attempt lifted 86kg’s. World Champion China’s Hoi Zhihui topped the standings at the halfway mark after lifting 92kg after two attempts. Both Chanu and Delacruz failed to lift 89 kg in their third attempt allowing Zhihui to stay top of the table. The Chinese weightlifter made a new Olympic record in the snatch by lifting 94kg in her third and final lift.
In the clean and jerk event, Chanu who holds the world record of 119kg registered herself for a 110kg lift. China’s Zhihui opted for 109kg lift, while Delacruz decided to go for 108kg. The US lifter however failed to lift the weight in all her three attempts. Zhihui managed to lift 109 kg in her first attempt and upped her ante by registering for 114 kg in her second lift. Chanu cleared the 110kg lift confirming the silver medal for India in the event. In the second lift, Zhihui created an Olympic record by lifting the 114 kg mark, which was broken by Chanu who lifted 115kg in her second lift. In the third attempt, the Chinese lifter cleared the 116 kg mark to create a new Olympic record. Chanu failed to lift 117 kg in her final attempt to ultimately settling for silver.
