Guwahati: Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics last year, was inducted into the Manipur Police Saturday. She was awarded the job last year in honour of her Olympic feat.
The 27-year-old has taken charge as additional superintendent of police (sports) in the Manipur Police, a development she recorded in a series of tweets that expressed gratitude to her parents as well as Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
It is an honour to have joined the Manipur Police as the Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports). I would like to thank the state of Manipur and our Hon'ble Chief Minister @NBirenSingh sir, for giving me this opportunity to serve the country and its citizens.#JaiHind pic.twitter.com/doRkTxQkj4
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) January 15, 2022
Proud moment for me and my parents who have supported me in every step of my journey as I join office with the Manipur Police as the Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports). Thankyou mom and dad for your sacrifices, I feel happy to make you both proud. pic.twitter.com/KNiKGFRixf
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) January 15, 2022
Chanu also called on Biren Singh Saturday. Following the meeting, Singh described Chanu as “our nation’s pride”.
Our Nation’s pride, Olympian Silver medalist, @mirabai_chanu has taken charge as the Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports), Manipur Police and called on me at my office today. pic.twitter.com/sCQDuxm6BY
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) January 15, 2022
About Mirabai Chanu’s journey
Chanu, who belongs to Nongpok Kakching village in Manipur’s Imphal East district, made history last year by winning India’s first-ever Olympic silver medal in weightlifting.
She comes from a family that has no background in sports. Her father was a government employee, while her mother sold samosas on the streets.
Her mother had told ThePrint for an earlier report that the Olympic medallist had wanted to pursue archery, but couldn’t do it because she wasn’t tall enough for the sport.
Chanu’s talent was recognised early on by Anita Chanu, a former international weightlifter and coach, and she went on to train at the sports academy in Manipur.
Chanu has earlier won a silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the 48-kg category. In 2016, she qualified for the Rio Olympics but was unable to pull off a successful lift.
In 2017, she won the gold medal at the World Weightlifting Championships in the US. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Chanu won the gold medal and broke the record for the 48-kg category.
She also went on to win the bronze in the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championship.
(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)
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