Prez, V-P, PM congratulate Mirabai Chanu for Olympic feat

New Delhi, Jul 24: President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Mirabai Chanu for winning the silver medal in weightlifting at Tokyo Olympics 2020.

"Heartiest congratulations to Mirabai Chanu for starting the medal tally for India in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 by winning silver medal in weightlifting," the President said in his message.

The Vice-President in his congratulatory message, said that the nation is very proud of Mirabai Chanu's achievement.

Mr Modi said the country is elated by her stupendous performance. "Could not have asked for a happier start to Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Her success motivates every Indian," Mr Modi conveyed through social media.

He also spoke to the silver medallist and congratulated her on the emphatic feat. The Prime Minister's Office informed that Mr Modi wished her the very best for future endeavours.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed similar sentiments.

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur congratulated and thanked her for bringing smile on the face of 135 crore Indians by winning a silver medal on the very first day of Olympic games. "Your performance will inspire other players to give the best results too," the Minister stated.

Chanu clinched silver medal in the women's 49 kg weightlifting category at the Tokyo 2020 as India won a medal on the first day of the Olympic Games for the first time in its history.

The 26-year-old lifted a total of 202 kg (87kg+115kg) and became the first Indian weightlifter to win a silver at Olympics.

Chanu's win comes two decades after Indian trailblazer Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. Malleswari won a bronze medal in the women's 69kg weight category at the 2000 Sydney Games.

In response to all the congratulatory messages, Chanu took to her official Twitter profile to post a heart-warming message.

"Its really a dream come true for me. I would like to dedicate this medal to my country and would like to thank the billion prayers of all Indians which were with me during this journey. I like to thank my family especially my mother for a lot of sacrifices and believing in me. Also special thanks to our government for supporting me, Ministry of Sports, SAI, IOA, Weightlifting Federation of India, Railways, OGQ, sponsors and my marketing agency IOS for their continuous support in this journey," she wrote and also thanked her coach Vijay Sharma for his continuous hardwork, motivation and training.