Image credit: www.Olympics.com

After a long and sad 21-year wait, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has won a proud moment for India. She has won a weightlifting medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the 49kg category.

She lifted a total of 202kg (87kg+115kg) beating Karnam Malleswari record in the 2000 Sydney Olympics who won bronze.

She has also become the 17th individual Olympic medallist.

Earlier in the 2016 Games, she failed to score a single legitimate lift, but this time she has made the nation and her family proud.

China's Hou Zhihui has won the Gold with 210kg (94kg+116kg) whereas Aisah Windy Cantika of Indonesia won the bronze medal with 194kg (84kg+110kg).

In the first attempt, Chanu attempted 84kg, then she took her time and lifted 87kg in the next attempt and raised it to 89kg. Last year at the national championship, she lifted 88kg but in Tokyo she outdid herself.

The 26-year old Chanu hails from Imphal, Manipur. Her other achievements include

• In 2020 Tashkent Asian Championships (49 kg): Bronze

• In 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (48 kg): Gold

• In 2017 Anaheim World Championships (48 kg): Gold, among others.