Saikhom Mirabai Chanu: Full Athlete Profile, Medals, Weightlifting Career, Olympics, and More

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has all the Indians' hopes high when it comes to clinching a medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics. She held up the nation's chin at last year's Tokyo Olympics, and as India's sole representative in the weightlifting category, she will aim for the ultimate prize. As the Paris Games loom, Take a look at the entire profile of the Indian weightlifter, her accolades, and more such details.

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Saikhom Mirabai Chanu: Know the Entire Profile of the Prominent Indian Weightlifter From Manipur

Mirabai Chanu has emerged as one of India's best weightlifters, and her medals and achievements speak for themselves. The Manipur-based weightlifter rose to prominence when she smashed the 48 kg national record set by women's national coach Kunjarana Devi for 12 years at the 2016 Rio Olympics weightlifting trials in Patiala.

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu was the youngest of six siblings born into a low-income family in the Manipur village of Nongpok Kakching, which is located near Imphal. She was about twelve years old when her lifting prowess was first seen. Despite being four years younger than her brother, she was able to lift and carry a rather large pile of firewood home.

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But the pressure of a debut Olympics appearance affected Mirabai Chanu as she was unable to do any of her clean-and-jerk lifts during her first Olympics in Rio 2016. The weightlifter was so dejected by the setback that she considered a premature retirement. But she recovered much more powerfully. Mirabai won silver in the women's 49 kg competition at the 2020 Tokyo Games because of her marvelous performance. She is the only other Indian to win gold at the World Weightlifting Championship, behind Karnam Malleswari. In addition, she became the second Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal, behind PV Sindhu.  

Mirabai Chanu has come a long way, from being a young child hailing from a Manipur Village to reaching podium finishes on international platforms. She will be one of India’s best prospects for a medal in Paris, France. Weightlifting is one of the latter events in Paris 2024, and Mirabai's challenge takes place on August 7, 2024.