Jeremy Lalrinnunga thanks ‘elder sister’ Mirabai Chanu for inspiring his Commonwealth Games gold

For Jeremy Lalrinnunga, winning the men’s 67kg gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 was a dream come true and the Indian weightlifter feels that having Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu as a cheerleader played a big part in his success.

“My phone wallpaper for a while has been a Commonwealth Games gold medal. After winning the Youth Olympics in 2018, it took me a long time to win my first major senior medal because of injuries, and other things. So, this means a lot,” Jeremy Lalrinnunga said after his win on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Jeremy singled out Mirabai Chanu, who won the women’s 49kg gold medal at Birmingham 2022 on Saturday, as a special factor behind his success.

“Mirabai didi (elder sister) has been a huge motivator for me. Even before the event she came up to me and encouraged me to do well. She was also right there in the front row amongst the audience with the Indian flag, egging me on. That was a big deal for me,” Jeremy revealed.

Mirabai Chanu, who clinched a historic silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year, has been a trendsetter for Indian weightlifting and an inspiration to young lifters like Jeremy for years now.

“I have a lot to learn from Mirabai didi. Her work ethic is brilliant. I need to follow that to make it to the Olympics and hopefully win a medal like her,” Jeremy Lalrinnunga noted.

The standout factor behind Jeremy’s podium finish at Birmingham was the way he fought through the pain barrier to win his medal. The Indian lifter injured himself after his first clean and jerk attempt but powered through to make additional lifts in order to secure his title.

“I just knew that I had to do it,” Jeremy said. “However, I don’t think the injury is too severe, It seems like just a muscle pull and I think I’ll be ready soon for my next event.”

Jeremy, who had missed out on the Tokyo Olympics due to his long-standing struggle with injury, revealed that making it to Paris 2024 will be his next target and his focus will now shift to Olympic qualifying tournaments.

Before that, though, the young star from Mizoram has something he needs to do.

“I haven’t been home for two years. I was either competing, training or recovering from injury. Now I think I can take a week’s break and head home to celebrate my win with my parents,” Jeremy Lalrinnunga signed off.