Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu recently made the country proud by bagging a silver medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020. One of India’s top contenders in Tokyo, Chanu became only the second Indian weightlifter to clinch a medal in the history of the Olympics after Karnam Malleswari bagged bronze in the 69kg category at the 2000 Sydney Games – when the weightlifting arena was opened to women for the first time.
On Monday, Chanu returned back to India and received a hero’s welcome at the airport where fans and media persons had gathered in big numbers to welcome her. As per ANI, the Manipur Government has decided to appoint Chanu as Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports) in the police department.
“Manipur Government has decided to appoint Olympic Silver Medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu as Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports) in the police department: Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Imphal,” ANI said in a tweet.
Earlier, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had announced the state government’s decision to give her Rs 1 crore for her historic show in Tokyo.
“The state government will give you a sum of Rs 1 crore. You won’t be collecting tickets at railway stations and in trains any more. I am reserving a special post for you. I am meeting the honourable home minister in the evening. I am not revealing more details now and keeping it a surprise for you,” Singh told Chanu during a video call soon after she opened India’s medal count in Tokyo.
Chanu told Singh that it was only because of the prayers of people from Manipur that she won a silver medal in Tokyo and thanked them for their constant support.
“I am so happy. Everyone in Manipur prayed for me and I have won a silver medal. I can’t be happier. People acknowledge our state now. I am thankful to everyone in Manipur for their support. I am here today only because of their support,” she said.
Chanu had opened India’s medals tally on Saturday as she bagged a silver in the Women’s 49kg category at Tokyo International Forum. She lifted a total of 202 kg (87kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk) during her four successful attempts across the competition.
China’s Zhihui Hou clinched a gold medal with a total of 210kg and created a new Olympic Record while Indonesia’s Windy Cantika Aisah grabbed bronze with a total of 194 kg.
Hailing Chanu for her remarkable performance at Olympics, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said: “I am extremely happy to inform you that Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in Tokyo Olympics. I congratulate her on behalf of the House and myself. I hope that other athletes will also perform well in their respective games and bring laurels to the nation.”
