Mirabai Chanu overcame Rio heartbreak, & won gold at World Championship courtesy her mother
The loss left the youngster confused about her career, but she worked hard and became a world champion.
By Maleeva Rebello, ET Bureau |
Agencies
Champion weightlifter and Khel Ratna awardee Mirabai Chanu shares how she responded to her 2016 Rio Olympic loss with a spectacular win in the World Championship a year later.
At just 4' 11", wearing yellow sneakers, one would mistake Mirabai Chanu for a youngster headed to college. But the 24-year-old can lift above her weight, literally.
The bubbly young weightlifter, who clinched gold at the Weightlifting World Championship last year, is composed one moment and giggling the next, as she says she is “lucky” to have a family of footballers, which includes her parents and two brothers. Her next target: Tokyo 2020.
Home inspiration
Born in Imphal, Chanu took up weightlifting after being inspired by another Manipuri weightlifter, Kunjarani Devi. “She is Manipur’s toughest player,” said Chanu. “[Growing up] I read about her in newspapers and my school books. Her life inspired me to take up the sport. In our village, there was no such thing as weightlifting, but I explained to my mother that I wanted to lift iron. She was worried since I am a girl, but I wanted to lift the heaviest weight and show the world.”
But before she tasted success, there was heartbreak at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Chanu put up a disappointing performance as she could not get an overall total in the women’s 48 kg, after failing to lift the weight in any of her three attempts in the clean and jerk section.
“For most players, the Olympics is the pinnacle. I had worked very hard for Rio. I was ready. During trial, I had lifted 192 kg. It was my first Olympics and, in my mind, I was convinced I would win.
But when I went there, I went blank. I was heartbroken and cried a lot after my performance in Rio,” she said.
All is not lost
A Padma Shri and Khel Ratna from the government and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 further encouraged Chanu. “I thank my mother for giving me the best advice that I have ever received. My career has got a new lease of life,” she said.
At just 4' 11", wearing yellow sneakers, one would mistake Mirabai Chanu for a youngster headed to college. But the 24-year-old can lift above her weight, literally.
The bubbly young weightlifter, who clinched gold at the Weightlifting World Championship last year, is composed one moment and giggling the next, as she says she is “lucky” to have a family of footballers, which includes her parents and two brothers. Her next target: Tokyo 2020.
Home inspiration
Born in Imphal, Chanu took up weightlifting after being inspired by another Manipuri weightlifter, Kunjarani Devi. “She is Manipur’s toughest player,” said Chanu. “[Growing up] I read about her in newspapers and my school books. Her life inspired me to take up the sport. In our village, there was no such thing as weightlifting, but I explained to my mother that I wanted to lift iron. She was worried since I am a girl, but I wanted to lift the heaviest weight and show the world.”
ADVERTISEMENT
But before she tasted success, there was heartbreak at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Chanu put up a disappointing performance as she could not get an overall total in the women’s 48 kg, after failing to lift the weight in any of her three attempts in the clean and jerk section.
“For most players, the Olympics is the pinnacle. I had worked very hard for Rio. I was ready. During trial, I had lifted 192 kg. It was my first Olympics and, in my mind, I was convinced I would win.
But when I went there, I went blank. I was heartbroken and cried a lot after my performance in Rio,” she said.
All is not lost
ADVERTISEMENT
The loss left the youngster confused about her career. “I was so distraught that I contemplated leaving the game. But my mother made me understand that I was young and had a lot of time ahead of me. The World Championship was coming up and she told me to try to do well in that. I listened to her, worked hard and became a world champion,” she said. A Padma Shri and Khel Ratna from the government and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 further encouraged Chanu. “I thank my mother for giving me the best advice that I have ever received. My career has got a new lease of life,” she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
She came on the field, she played like a hero and left the stadium with more than a medal. What she wore was a sense of glory, victory and the honour of making her country proud. This is what the winners at the Asian Games have been living.
The ongoing games have seen strong and talented women bring home joy and glory.
Here's a look the women from Team India who are winning our hearts.
In Pic: Tennis player Ankita Raina (L), Shooter Rahi Sarnobat (C) and Wrestler Vinesh Phogat (R).
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
