Tokyo Olympics 2020: Weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu Gives India 1st Medal, bags Silver

Former world champion Saikhom Mirabai Chanu exorcised the ghost of Rio Games 'no lift' with a lift of 202 kgs (87+115) to claim the silver medal in the women's 49kg category at Tokyo International Forum on Saturday.

Mirabai, in her first attempt in snatch, lifted 84kg, then settled with 87kg in her second attempt. She failed her final attempt (89kg).

Mirabai, 26, thus won the first medal for India in the Tokyo Olympics. Karnam Malleswari was the only Indian weightlifter to have won an Olympic medal, a bronze in the 69kg category at the 2000 Sydney Games.

A confident Mirabai entered the competition with the highest entry weight of 210kg, five kilograms more than her personal best, followed by Zhihui (205kg), who had previously lifted 213kg (96g+117kg) at the Asian championship.