The 26-year-old lifted a total of 202kg (87kg + 115kg), while the gold went to China's Hou Zhihui wih an effort of 210kg and Aisah Windy Cantika of Indonesia took home the bronze wirh an effort of 194kg.
Ending India's 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal, Mirabai Chanu clinched a silver in the 49kg category to open the country's account on Saturday. The 26-year-old lifted a total of 202kg (87kg + 115kg), while the gold went to China's Hou Zhihui wih an effort of 210kg and Aisah Windy Cantika of Indonesia took home the bronze wirh an effort of 194kg.
Taking to the micro-blogging site, PM Narendra Modi wrote that he could not have asked for a happier start to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and then added that the whole nation is 'elated' by Mirabai Chanu's stupendous performance after which PM Modi congratulated the athlete for winning the Olympics silver medal.
Could not have asked for a happier start to ! India is elated by ’s stupendous performance. Congratulations to her for winning the Silver medal in weightlifting. Her success motivates every Indian. pic.twitter.com/B6uJtDlaJo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind took to his official Twitter handle and congratulated Mirabai Chanu for for starting the medal tally for India in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 by winning silver medal in weightlifting.
Heartiest congratulations to Mirabai Chanu for starting the medal tally for India in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 by winning silver medal in weightlifting.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn)Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the win "a proud moment". He said that every Indian is rejoicing this "historic accomplishment".
What a proud moment.
Every Indian is rejoicing this historic accomplishment of at the .
Let us . https://t.co/iR8KrwFacY
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter and congratulated Chanu for the historic win.
Congratulations to for our country’s first medal on the very first day.
India is proud of her daughter. pic.twitter.com/iv70x7s8Od
Union Minister of Sports Anurag Thakur congratulated Chanu for her feat.
India’s 1st medal on day 1 ! wins SILVER in women's 49kg weightlifting! 🥈🏋️
India 🇮🇳 is so proud of you Mira ! pic.twitter.com/QSqI7XTHbV
Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar spoke about the way she transformed herself after the injury and clinched a "historic silver" for Team India. Check out the post here:
𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗜 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗨!🥈👏🏻 🏋🏻♀️
Absolutely amazing display of weightlifting.
The way you have transformed yourself after your injury and clinched a historic silver for is absolutely stupendous.
You have made 🇮🇳 very proud. pic.twitter.com/pacYIgQ7LK
Olympic athelete and retired sharp shooter Abhinav Bindra shared the letter congratulating Chanu for the win. Here's the post: