“My daughter has done Manipur and India proud. Yet, I am at loss whom to approach to borrow money to buy garlands for welcoming her return to Manipur,” said Sorokhaibam ongbi Ibecha, mother of Bindyarani Sorokhaibam who won a silver medal in the 55 kg category weightlifting at the ongoing Commonwealth Games, 2022 in Birmingham.
Bindyarani's residence at Langol Ningthou Leikai in Imphal West is filled with joy, and locals gathered since morning to celebrate her achievement at the Commonwealth Games 2022.
In a conversation with the Imphal Free Press, Ibecha said: “Bindyarani has always been a hardworking and committed girl since childhood. I am extremely proud of her. Now that she has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, my desire is for her to make it to the Olympic Games”.
The mother further said that she did not watch the performance of her daughter on TV as she was worried how it would turn out. “I lied in bed and kept her in my prayers,” she added.
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As told by family members, they have been investing half of the family's meagre income in her career. Her mother said weightlifting requires a good and healthy diet and it did take a toll on the family.
Bindyarani's father Rajen, who is a daily wage earner, said with pride that she is the family's hope and they have been investing in her without any hesitation.
Meanwhile, her elder brother Sorokhaibam Suraj recounted that since childhood, she had always behaved and played like a boy and used to carry heavy objects like firewood.
The 23-year-old started playing Thang-Ta and Taekwondo first. However, owing to her short height, she was advised by many that she would be more suited to weightlifting.
She shifted to weightlifting around five-six years ago and has been on a roll ever since.
