Manipur celebrates Chanu, Devi’s Commonwealth Games medals

Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 31 (EMN): Manipur burst into celebration as Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and taekwondo player turned weightlifter Sorokhaibam Bindyarani Devi clinched the first gold medal and silver medal respectively, for India at Birmingham Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022.

Villagers of Nongpok Kakching, native place of Mirabai Chanu in Imphal East district and Langol Ningthou Leikai, Bindyarani Devi’s village in the outskirts of Imphal, who were glued to the television sets on Saturday late night, burst into joy when the medals for Mirabai and Bindyarani were confirmed.

 “I’m proud of my daughter. We’ve been praying for her success ahead of her performance and the Almighty has blessed her,” said Mirabai Chanu’s mother Saikhom Ongbi Tombi Leima (65).

 “Our courtyard was full of people with joy after her medal winning performance. We even performed Thabal Chongba, a traditional dance with joy and happiness,” Tombi Leima added.

Mirabai’s father Saikhom Kriti Meitei (75) also shared similar sentiments narrating his daughter’s tireless efforts in achieving her goals in life

Twenty seven-year-old Mirabai Chanu, one of India’s top gold medal prospects, lived up to expectations by clinching the first gold medal for the country at the Birmingham CWG 2022 by finishing first in the women’s 49kg weightlifting final. She lifted 201kgs (88kg in snatch and 113kg in clean and jerk).

On the other hand, 23-year-old Sorokhaibam Bindyarani Devi’s family at Langol Ningthou Leikai, had a sleepless Saturday night while watching her journey from being a medal-winning weightlifter to becoming a successful Taekwondo player at Sports Authority of India NE Regional centre at Takyelpat.

Bindyarani’ elder brother Sorokhaibam Suraj said that since childhood his sister used to bring home medals during school games. “Initially she played Thang-ta (traditional martial arts) and then was selected as Taekwondo player by SAI. She took up weightlifting few years back,” he said.

Bindyarani who has two sisters and one brother is the third child of a daily wage earner Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh (58) and local priestess, Sorokhaibam Ongbi Ibemcha Devi.

Bindyarani’s mother Ibemcha (55) said, “We’re really proud of her but the ongoing competition (Commonwealth Games) is not the end as Olympic Games would be her achievement.”

Bindyarani Devi successfully lifted 81kg in her first snatch attempt in the women’s 55kg category. In her second attempt, Bindyarani lifted 84kg without breaking a sweat. In her final snatch category attempt, Bindyarani nailed the 86kg snatch in the third attempt.

In the clean and jerk lift category, she lifted 110kg in her first attempt but failed to lift 114kg in her second attempt. In her final attempt she lifted 116kg it with ease to claim the silver medal.