She was already the World Record holder in snatch just before the Olympics 2020. Therefore, she was said to be one of the medal contenders at the Olympics 2020. And, she did not disappoint a billion people in India. Mirabai Chanu created history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal at Tokyo Olympics. She becomes 2nd Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari to win Olympics medal
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The 49-kg weightlifting event was one of the main attractions for the India viewers as Mirabai Chanu was one of the favorites to win it. However, the event had Olympic record holder Hou Zhihui in the competition.
Chanu's pervious failures at the Games, had made her more determined. However, Hou Zhihui was more in news as she broke three Olympic records to bag the gold. Therefore, Mirabai Chanu had to be satisfied with the silver medal at the Olympics 2020.
Hou Zhihui of China lifted an Olympic record 116 kg in the clean and jerk. This took her to a total of 210kg which was also an Olympic record. Windy Aisah of Indonesia cliched the bronze medal in the same event.
India though did not had a great start at the Tokyo. World Champion Deepika Kumari garbed 9th position in Archery who was a medal contender as well.