Keyword- Mirabai Chanu:The woman who lifted India’s Olympic hopes
From Manipur to Tokyo: The rise of Mirabai Chanu-
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu needs no introduction. The Indian weightlifter won the silver medal on the first day of the Tokyo Olympics. Mirabai became only the second weightlifter in history to win an Olympic medal. She earned her fame in this tournament, but she had a never-ending struggle in her life before reaching this stage. From battling depression to winning an Olympic medal, the life of Mirabai Chanu is inspiring.
Mirabai was a favourite of many at the last Olympics in Rio. But in Rio, he couldn’t show himself. Miravai failed to complete his challenge at the Rio Olympics. “I couldn’t finish” on the scoreboard had a huge impact on his career. Her failure drew much criticism and she became depressed. The sensational weightlifter fell into depression and even underwent counselling sessions. At some point, Mirabai also decided to quit weightlifting. But she got back on her feet and got back on her feet with the help of the Commonwealth Games. She won the gold medal with a weight of 48 kg and was noticed!
In the village of Nongpok Sekmai in the eastern Imphal Valley, emotions reached a climax on Saturday morning when Mirabai was televised. Neighbours and villagers flocked outside their homes to broadcast his performance live on television. Mirabai’s win left mixed feelings in her home. Mirabai’s mother, Saihom Thombi Devi, 60, recalled Mirabai’s trips to the days when she left with firewood on her head to head to the rented 0.5 acre of rice paddies. “Of my six children, Mirabai is the only one who has spent time with me and supported me on the farm,” she said. She always wanted to lighten my load. I was sure she would win a medal for her country. I thought I was going to pass out when I saw the final climb,” said Sai Tombi Devi.
Mirabai’s father, Saihom Kriti Singh, was not earning enough as a construction worker at the Manipur Public Works Department. Her mother ran a small teahouse on the main road in the village to support the family.
To maintain her weight, Milabai sometimes skipped meals. She couldn’t even attend her sister’s wedding because of the contest.
Mirabai was born in 1994 in a village 200 kilometres from the capital, Imphal. Kunjrani Devi, a weightlifter from Manipur, has had a great influence on Mirabai. After seeing Kunjurni Devi, Mirabai decided to become a weightlifter. She started training in 2007 and walked 20 kilometres a day for training. She became the under-15 champion at age 11 and the junior champion at age 17. Her career would have been over if she had not been invited to the Rio Olympics. Despite her disappointing performance in Rio, Mirabai bounced back in Tokyo and she inspired a generation to dream big and work towards it. Mirabai comes from a poor family. She’s just an ordinary girl with big dreams. She worked there even though her family couldn’t afford to eat or exercise. She made history today by winning a medal on her first day at the Olympics.
Today, a trip to Mirabai sparks a lot of young girls in this country. We hope more girls will start lifting weights and India will be proud to lift weights.
Also Read: https://storiesofindia.org/unveiling-manik-khannas-entrepreneurial-journey/