Weightifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu opened India’s medal tally at the Tokyo Olympics after securing a Silver Medal in the 49kg category event. Since her victory, congratulations have been pouring in from all sides.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah heaped praises on her following her Silver Medal finish. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated her as well.
So proud of @mirabai_chanu for clinching the silver medal in the Women's 49kg Weightlifting category at the #OlympicGames.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 24, 2021
Wishing you all the very best for your future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/C6d4twJLWk
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised her as well, hailing her victory as a win for Maa Bharti.
आज फिर भारत की मातृशक्ति ने वैश्विक पटल पर माँ भारती को गौरवभूषित किया है।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 24, 2021
आज @Tokyo2020 में @mirabai_chanu जी ने अद्भुत कौशल का परिचय देते हुए रजत पदक जीत कर देश को गौरवान्वित किया है।
हार्दिक बधाई!
जय हिंद!
Following her victory, old tweets of Mirabai Chanu where she had expressed her support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi has since then gone viral. In April 2020, she had tweeted that she stand by the country and India will win the fight against Covid-19. She had tagged Narendra Modi in her tweet.
I stand with my nation. Together we will win this fight against Coronavirus #IndiaFightsCornona @PMOIndia @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/0d731yaEGC
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) April 5, 2020
In another tweet the same day, Mirabai Chanu said that she would light candles for 9 minutes at 9 pm that day, heeding the Prime Minister’s call. Narendra Modi was tagged in that tweet as well.
I am ready to light candles and diyas for 9 minutes at 9 pm today.
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) April 5, 2020
I request everyone to join this movement for our nation. Lets spread the power of light. @PMOIndia @narendramodi @KirenRijiju @manipurmygov @NBirenSingh @Media_SAI @IndiaSports @WeAreTeamIndia pic.twitter.com/qWpQ3WAVs7
Two days earlier, she had thanked the Prime Minister for interacting with athletes.
Thank you Hon'ble PM @narendramodi
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) April 3, 2020
sir for interacting with us today. Have shared with him how i am following lockdown while staying in my room, working on fitness & enjoying hobbies. I urge everyone to kindly follow lockdown seriously & lets unite in this fight against
COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/VPJngnkwlV
Following the Common Wealth Games in 2018, she had expressed her gratitude towards Narendra Modi for his encouragement.
@narendramodi sir, it was a pleasure meeting you post #CWG2018. Thank you for the continuous encouragement that you extend to us players.@Ra_THORe @PMOIndia @Media_SAI @IndiaSports @NeelamKapur pic.twitter.com/KSuqvpmd14
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) May 24, 2018
A tweet of her celebrating Diwali has also gone viral.
#HappyDeepavali pic.twitter.com/lxxUmcL6yR
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) November 15, 2020
Apart from the tweets mentioned above, there are numerous other occasions on which the Olympic Silver Medalist expressed her support towards the Prime Minister and other Ministers in the Union Cabinet.
Mirabai Chanu lifted 84kg and 87kg successfully in the snatch event but failed to lift 89kg as she was placed in the second spot behind China’s HOU Zhihu, who lifted 94kg to create an Olympic record. The Indian lifter successfully 110kg and 115kg in the clean and jerk category, however, she could not complete her 117kg lift.
