TOKYO (Japan): Ace weightlifter Mirabai Chanu Saikhom opened India’s medals tally on Saturday as she bagged a silver in the Women’s 49kg category.
Mirabai lifted a total of 202 kg (87kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk) during her four successful attempts across the competition.
China’s Zhihui Hou bagged gold with a total of 210kg and created a new Olympic Record while Indonesia’s Windy Cantika Aisah grabbed bronze with a total of 194kg.
Mirabai, the 2017 world champion at 48kg, was unable to make inroads on Hou’s 210kg aggregate but was ecstatic at becoming India’s first weightlifting silver medallist, after Karanam Malleswari’s bronze in the women’s 69kg at Sydney 2000.
Mirabai hoped her success could inspire more Indian young women to take up weightlifting.
“It’s a really big thing, the first silver for India. Whatever happens in the future I hope this is just the beginning,” said Mirabai.
