Saikhom Mirabai Chanu goes down in history as the second Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari to grab an Olympic medal. Lifting a total weight of 202kg while competing in the 49kg category. She was outdone by the Olympic champion Hou Zhihui of China who took home another gold medal lifting a total weight of 210 Kg (94+116). While Indonesia’s Aisah Windy Cantika was presented with a bronze medal after an effort of 194kg (84+110).
Starting the day at Tokyo International Forum Mirabai began with 84kg and later improved form with 87 kgs. In the clean and jerk round she improved as well first with 110kg effort and then proceeded to 115 kgs in the second and challenged Zhihui with a powerful 117kgs effort later but fell short. Ending India’s wait for a medal, Chanu’s would bring home a silver medal.
