Fresh off her heroic feat of clinching a silver with an injured wrist on the World Championship ultimate week, weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has no plans of slowing down. “I am very happy to be in Tokyo. [Olympics] ke baad Commonwealth games mein gold jeeta, aur ab World Champion dubara bani,” says Chanu, who used to be topped World Champion in 2017. Her subsequent goal is gold at Paris Olympics in 2024.
Ask her how she controlled the efficiency with an harm, she says, “Mushkil tha par maine fight kiya. My wrist has been giving me trouble since the time I started training for the tournament. Naturally, my practice was hampered. I was getting doubtful of my participation at the World Championships. Given its significance, there was quite a bit of pressure. Plus, it was going to decide if I would qualify for the next Olympics. Sab ke pyaar se aaj main phir world champion bani.”
Chanu’s contemporary win has impressed younger ladies to take to social media to emulate her. “Jab main Tokyo silver medal le aayi, tab se kaafi young players, khaas karke ladkiyan, mujhe dekh kar inspire hui. There are very few female athletes in this sport. I want to be a role model for those aspiring to take up weightlifting,” she tells us.
Ask her if she want to see her adventure get tailored for the silver display, Chanu says she’d be delighted: “Mujhe bahut khushi hogi agar mere upar movie/documentary achhe se banayi gayi toh. My adventure may encourage other folks. It is essential to turn all of the sacrifices and hardwork that cross at the back of each and every medal we win for the rustic.”
Author tweets @Nainaarora8
Follow extra on Facebook and Twitter