Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh on Thursday congratulated state’s star weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu for winning the first gold medal at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2018 Australia in the 48 kg weightlifting category.
The reigning world champion Mirabai Chanu smashed the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games’ weightlifting record by lifting 196 kg.
The previous Games’ record was 175 kg set by Augustine Nwaokolo of Nigeria in 2010.
In his congratulatory message, Chief Minister Biren expressed hope that the champion weightlifter would win more medals and keep on bringing laurels to the State and the country in future as well.
Works Minister Th Biswajit said, “With her inspiring feat, Mirabai has further reaffirmed that Manipur has indeed many incredible sports women who have made the nation proud.”
Stating that Mirabai has made the whole country and the state proud, Biswajit who also hold power portfolio, said, “Mirabai Chanu has not only won India’s first gold at Gold Coast Game(Australia) but also broken the event’s weightlifting records in the process.”
Echoing similar sentiment, state sports minister Letpao Haokio in a congratulatory message said, “Saikhom Mirabai created a history not only for Manipur but also for our country and the entire Commonwealth Games fraternity.”
Letpao who also hold state water resources portfolio also congratulated Chanu for bringing laurel to the state and the county as well.
Social welfare minister Nemcha Kipgen while speaking at an event on Thursday also extended heartfelt congratulations to Chanu.
“She has once again made all of us proud and reminds all that Manipur is indeed the powerhouse of sports in India,” Nemcha asserted.
Mirabai’s mother Tombi (55), who joined the celebration, expressed happiness over the winning of gold medal in the Games.
On January 27, Chief Minister Biren, a former soccer player had handed over Rs 20 lakh to world weightlifting champion Mirabai who became the first Indian after 22 years to claim a gold medal in the 48-kg category at the World Weightlifting Championship, as a token of appreciation and encouragement for winning gold at the World Weightlifting Championships held in Anaheim, United States in last November.