‘Mirabai Chanu made India proud' - Coach Anita praises Tokyo 2020 silver medallist's composure
The former India coach was pleased to see her prodigy win an Olympic silver medal at Tokyo 2020.
Mirabai Chanu scripted history when she won a silver medal in the 48 kg category in weightlifting on Saturday at Tokyo 2020.
She lifted a total of 202 kg, 87 kg in snatch and 115 kg in clean and jerk, to finish behind China’s Hu Zhizhi who managed 210 kg, 94 kg in snatch and 116 kg in clean and jerk.
It must be noted that she was the only weightlifter in Rio 2016 who failed to complete her event as the Manipuri athlete couldn’t lift in three attempts in clean and jerk.
At one point in time, Chanu thought of quitting weightlifting for good but was convinced against it by her mother and her coach Anita Chanu.
The former weightlifter, who competed at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, was elated to see Mirabai clinch a silver medal at Tokyo 2020. Chanu runs a weightlifting academy in Imphal and Mirabai started her weightlifting journey at her academy when she would daily travel 20-odd kms from Nongpok Kakching.
“When I started this (Anita Chanu Weightlifting Academy) weightlifting school, it was so that I could produce at least one lifter who brings India an Olympic medal. That dream is fulfilled today. Mirabai did us and the nation proud,” an excited Anita Chanu told Olympics.com.
The former Dronacharya award winner stated that the best part of Mirabai’s performance was that she didn’t have stage-fear one bit, despite having failed at Rio 2016. In fact, Chanu opined that the disappointment of Rio 2016 spurred Mirabai on to give her best at Tokyo 2020.
“I saw her performance right from the first lift. She looked very confident. I think the experience in Rio helped. Mirabai was not nervous at all and kept her concentration from the first lift to the last,” Anita Chanu said.