CWG 2018 : Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu Gets India Its First Gold Medal

Picture Courtesy : rediff.com

Gritty weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has done India proud by winning the first Gold medal in the 21st Commonwealth games in style, as she broke the games record en route to her medal.

The 23-year-old’s previous best was a total lift of 194kg (snatch 85kg and 109kg in clean and jerk) achieved in the World Championships a few months ago.

In a record breaking performance , Chanu smashed the Commonwealth and the Games record in snatch, pulling off clean lifts in all her three attempts (80kg, 84kg and 86kg).

In the clean and jerk category, she lifted 110 kg and broke her personal record, which was 194 kg. Now, her personal best stands at 196 kg (110kg + 86 kg).

She then lifted more than double her body weight (103kg, 107kg and 110kg) in three successful attempts to claim the clean and jerk as well as the overall Games record.

She was competing in the 48 kg event and broke the record in the snatch category, lifting 86 kg in her third attempt. Second placed Amanda Braddock managed 76 kgs.

Earlier in the day , Gururaja Poojary claimed a silver medal in the men’s 56kg event to open India’s medal account in the quadrennial extravaganza.

Tributes hailing her performances were seen on twitter