From heartbreak to redemption, from tears to glory - The Mirabai Chanu story

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the winner yet again!


2014 - Silver
2018 - Gold
2022 - Gold, yet again!

From lifting firewood in the jungles of Nongpok Kakching in Imphal to successfully lifting the nation’s burden of expectations, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu’s legacy is awe-inspiring.

Burying the demons of her debut Olympics performance deep, Mirabai Chanu has emerged as one of the most consistent medal winners for India.

Be it Commonwealth 2014, 2018, Tokyo 2020, or Birmingham 2022, the list of Chanu’s medal exploits has been unceasing over the years. The only time, the Manipur lifter faltered was at Rio 2016, but that too is a story of the past now.

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The 27-year-old who became the first-ever Indian weightlifter to win a silver medal at last year’s Olympics, once again rose to the occasion to bag the coveted gold at the Birmingham podium.

At Tokyo 2020, Chanu clinched a silver medal for her nation on Day 1. Cut to 2022, the Indian weighlifter aced her game once again at the Commonwealth to win a gold in the 49-kg category on Day 2 of Birmingham CWG 2022.

Behind her endearing ear-to-ear grin is a story of struggle, a story of pain that only this dimunitive Indian champion from the northeast knows.

After her heart-breaking disqualification at Rio Olympics, the Manipur based weightlifter did not choose to cry over the spilt milk. Instead, she headed straight to Patiala where she immediately began her practice for the events to come.

However, the road to glory became only tougher with Covid-19 striking the world. Her tireless regime hit a dead-end when lockdown happened. The relentless weightlifter developed a shoulder issue after she had to stay locked in her room for months.

But, the shoulder issue, the back injury that she suffered later, never hindered her quest. And, eventually Chanu who is known for shattering records had first brought cheers to the nation in Tokyo last year and now, in Birmingham, the Manipur-based athlete has once again made India proud.