Mirabai Chanu wins Gold at Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championship

Imphal, July 9, 2019:

Manipur’s former world champion Mirabai Chanu won a gold on the opening day of the Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championship at Apia in Samoa on Tuesday.

Mirabai lifted a total of 191kg (84kg + 107 kg) in the senior women's 49 kg event to win the gold medal in the Olympic qualifying event, the points from which will come in handy for the final rankings of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Mirabai Chanu last took part at the Asian Championship in Ningbo, China in April where she lifted 199kg (86kg+113kg) to miss out on a medal by a whisker. The qualification process for the 2020 Olympics is based on the performances of the weightlifters in six events over a period of 18 months out of which the four best results logged by a lifter will be considered.

The Indian contingent won 13 medals that included eight golds, three silvers and two bronze medals in senior, junior and youth categories.

Chanu has been regular presence in international events since 2014 in the 48 kg category, Chanu has won the World Championships and multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games. She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contributions to the sport of weightlifting in 2018. She received India's highest civilian sports honour Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna for 2018.

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