Mirabai Chanu at Tokyo Olympics

With Manipur’s Mirabai Chanu winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, joy of billions of Indians across the globe knew no limit.

While, at her remote native village in Manipur, some 25 km from its capital Imphal, Saikhom Ongbi Tombi Leima has struggled to stop her tears from flowing ever since. It’s the tears of joy for Tombi Leima, Mirabai’s mother.

Tombi Leima has become emotional seeing her daughter wearing the special ‘good luck’ earring when she went to the competition. The earring was gifted by Tombi Leima before the Rio Olympics, but Rio couldn’t bring Mirabai any luck.

However, this time at Tokyo, the luck smiled at Mirabai.

“I saw the earrings on TV, I gave them to her in 2016 before the (Rio) Olympics. I have made it for her from the gold pieces and savings I have so that it brings luck and success for her,” Leima was quoted as saying by PTI.

“I was in tears seeing it and also during the moment she won the medal. Her father (Saikhom Kriti Meitei) was also in tears. Tears of joy. All her hard work has led to the success,” she said.

Mirabai's family and neighbours watch her compete at the Tokyo Olympics on TV at her village in Manipur | Photo: SAI
Mirabai’s family and neighbours watch her compete at the Olympics on TV at her village in Manipur | Photo: SAI

Mirabai ended India’s 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics by clinching a silver medal in the 49 kg category to open the country’s account on July 24. The 26-year-old lifted a total of 202 kg (87 kg + 115 kg) to better Karnam Malleswari’s bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

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