CHENNAI: November 22 was an important day for Mirabai Chanu’s family. One of her three sisters was getting ready to tie the knot. Unfortunately, the weightlifter was unable to make it to the auspicious moment. It was not just one function that Chanu missed. It’s been a year and four months since the Rio Olympics concluded. Since then, she hasn’t seen her home or family.
India’s weightlifting campaign, like many other disciplines, was dismal in Rio. Chanu, who was a strong contender in Brazil, but came back empty-handed. Failure at the highest level is not easy to handle. After coming to terms with it, the 23-year-old started afresh. On Thursday, all the sacrifice and hard work was rewarded.
Chanu ended India’s medal drought at the World Championship, in Anaheim, USA, in the women’s 48kg category with the gold medal. Karnam Mallewsari had won India’s second and previous gold at the event in 1995. India’s last medal at the event had come in 1997.
“I called my mom as soon as I heard the result. She started crying. I have been away for so long and when she knew that I won, she couldn’t control her emotions. I miss my family. I could not make it for my sister’s wedding. But my family is proud of what I achieved,” Chanu told The New Indian Express from Anaheim.
Not out of the blue
Mirabai Chanu’s win is significant as it ended a long wait for the coun-try. But it did not come out of the blue. She won gold in Common-wealth Champion-ship in Australia earlier in 2017, suggesting that she was moving in the right direction