NEW DELHI: India's Olympic silver medalist Mirabai Chanu could get her medal upgraded!
This is after reports that China's gold medal winner Hou Zhihui is being tested by the anti-doping authorities. If Zhihui fails the test, it will be a historic moment for Mirabai, who will be the first woman to ever win a Gold medal in weightlifting for India.
News Agency ANI has reported that a source known to them has informed of the latest development. "She has been asked to stay in Tokyo and the test will be done. The test is definitely happening," the source told ANI. Zhihui had lifted a total of 210 Kg to bag gold. Mirabai had lifted a total of 202 Kg to bag silver. As per the rules, if a medalist fails a doping test, the athlete who finished below them would replace them in the medal position.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country in congratulating Mirabai Chanu, who on July 23 ended India's 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics by clinching a silver in the 49 kg category at the Tokyo Games here. In post-match interviews after bagging silver medal for weightlifting in the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Mirabai Chanu told reporters she can't party due to the COVID-19 situation and would celebrate by eating pizza.