Over the past decade, Mirabai Chanu has elevated Indian weightlifting to unprecedented levels. As a world champion and Olympic medalist, she has consistently brought pride to her nation, establishing herself as a ‘serial winner’!
Born on August 8, 1994, Mirabai Chanu hails from the village of Nongpok Kakching near Imphal, the capital of Manipur. As the youngest of six children born to humble beginnings,, her early years were marked by a relentless determination to succeed. Ever since she was 12 years old, her family supported her desire to become a weightlifter. When she was able to raise the wood logs that her brother struggled to pick up and walk effortlessly back home, they realised how strong she was and spotted her potential. Her career started right there, despite financial constraints.
Growing up in a community devoid of weightlifting facilities, Chanu's dedication knew no bounds. She undertook a gruelling daily commute of 44 kilometres to pursue her training, a testament to her unwavering commitment and resolve. Remarkably, at just 11 years old, she clinched her first gold medal in a local weightlifting competition, foreshadowing the greatness that lay ahead.
Initially inclined towards archery for its elegance, Mirabai's interest soon shifted to weightlifting after witnessing the sport's intensity during a visit to the Sports Authority of India Centre. Inspired by the achievements of Kunjarani Devi, another Manipuri weightlifter, Mirabai embarked on her journey in weightlifting.
With limited resources and lacking infrastructure in her village, Mirabai travelled long distances daily to train under her first coach, Anita Chanu. She started with rudimentary equipment like bamboo trunks before transitioning to conventional weights, showcasing remarkable determination.
Mirabai's breakthrough came when she won a gold medal at the 2013 Commonwealth Championships, followed by a silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Despite a disappointing debut at the Rio Olympics in 2016, where she faced criticism, Mirabai rebounded spectacularly at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships, securing the gold and setting a championship record.
Her triumph silenced her critics and earned her accolades, including the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the Padma Shri. Subsequently, she continued her success with a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and made history at the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships by setting a new world record in the clean and jerk category.
Her silver triumph at Tokyo 2020 marked a historic milestone, only the second Olympic medal secured by an Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari. Additionally, she joined PV Sindhu as the second Indian woman to claim an Olympic silver medal, a remarkable achievement that helped exorcise the ghosts of her disappointing debut at Rio 2016. Despite entering Rio with a shattered national record, she faltered in her clean-and-jerk attempts, leaving her disheartened and even contemplating early retirement. However, her Tokyo success emerged from resolute determination and numerous personal sacrifices.
Mirabai fulfilled her Olympic dreams by clinching India's first-ever silver in weightlifting at the 2020 Olympics. Eager to take things a notch further at the Paris 2024 Olympics, she showcased her dominance by defending her title at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and securing a silver at the World Weightlifting Championships the same year.
Even though her performance at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou fell short of expectations due to her lingering injury, Mirabai Chanu's resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence continues to inspire awe in the world of weightlifting.
Beyond her sporting achievements, Chanu's star continues to rise, with accolades such as gracing the cover of Vogue magazine, serving as a spokesperson for cultural associations, and representing renowned brands like Adidas. Her recent triumph at the Singapore Weightlifting International and the Commonwealth Games 2022 further cemented her status as a global icon and a source of immense pride for India.
Mirabai Chanu's remarkable achievements include setting personal bests and national records in various categories, becoming the first Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic silver and World Championship gold in over two decades.