‘SAI sending Mirabai to USA boosted her chances at Tokyo 2020’ - Chanu's mother Tombi Devi
The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist’s mother would welcome her daughter with a traditional Manipuri sweet dish
Mirabai Chanu won her maiden silver maiden at Olympics as she lifted a total of 202kg, 87kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk, to be only the second Indian female weightlifter to finish on the podium after Karnam Malleswari’s feat in Sydney 2000 where she won bronze.
The 26-year-old was given a grand welcome by the Government of India officials on Monday and was felicitated by the Union Minister of Sports, Anurag Thakur alongside Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials in New Delhi.
Mirabai’s journey to winning a medal at Tokyo 2020 was far from easy as she had to undergo a lot of struggles and it was thanks to her steely determination coupled with support from the near and dear ones who helped her stay focussed on the path to glory.
Saikhom Tombi Leima, Mirabai’s mother, reminisced that there were times where they couldn’t provide their daughter the right food needed for an athlete but would struggle to make ends meet to ensure she got the best what they could afford.
“When she started to play, she faced a lot of problems. To travel 20km to Imphal was itself a problem for her training. Moreover, I could not provide her with the right kind of food. I used to run a very small hotel. But looking at her passion for the game, I felt motivated and told her that I would put all my blood and sweat to make her a sportsperson. I told her to only focus on her game and not concentrate on anything else. I will do whatever needs to be done,” her mother told Olympics.com.
Not many are aware of the role Mirabai’s mother played in her winning a medal for India at the Olympics. At Rio 2016, Mirabai failed to complete her event as she couldn’t lift in her three attempts in clean and jerk. The Manipuri weightlifter had made up her mind to quit the sport for good after the disappointment. However, it was her mother who convinced Mirabai to not throw in the towel and continue relentlessly in her pursuit for a podium finish at the Olympics.
She also highlighted that the trip to USA before the commencement of Tokyo 2020 made a massive difference.
“To be honest, I expected her to win gold. I never wanted her to get married soon. I always wanted her to spay her sport. She has now silver and she is the pride of Manipur and the country. However, she can't rest on her laurels, and she needs to do better next time so that she can reach greater heights.
“She was a bit injured in Rio. So, she could not give her best. I prayed all day so that she recovers soon and starts her training. When she thought of quitting, I did not allow her as I had confidence in her that she would come back. Then SAI sent her to USA to train. That was a major boost to her chances. In the last five years, she has worked hard a lot,” said Mirabai’s mother.
She also shared what Mirabai told her after winning the silver medal and how she plans to welcome her daughter back home.
“After winning I could only speak to her for two-three minutes. She said that ‘I wanted a gold medal but could not. Please don't be angry with me. Next time I will go for gold. I did my best. But next time I will work even harder to win gold’. She also thanked all her well-wishers for the prayers.
“She hasn't been home for close to a year. That was very painful. Now she is returning after conquering the world. There will be a grand welcome for her, and I will welcome her with a traditional Manipuri dish. She also likes to eat sweets,” said a satisfied Saikhom Tombi Leima.