Saikhom Mirabai Chanu created history when she became the first Indian to win gold for India in the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 at Bermingham in London besides the many histories that she’s created over the years.
And, as she said, “every challenge is an attempt away’, she’s been inspiring everyone. And not just in India, but weightlifters from our neighbouring country and none other than Hollywood star and lead actor in Thor, Chris Hemsworth hailed Manipur's Mirabai Chanu.
Nooh Dastagir Butt, after winning Pakistan's first gold medal at the 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games, congratulated and hailed the Indian superstar as an inspiration.
“We look up to Mirabai for inspiration. She has shown us that, we from the South Asian countries can also win an Olympic medal. We became so proud of her when she won the silver at the Tokyo Olympics,” Butt told PTI after his record-breaking show in the men's 109+kg finals.
The 24-year-old Pakistani also shattered all the three Games records - 173 in snatch, 232 in clean and jerk and the aggregate. As soon as Butt won the gold medal, one of the first persons to lend a congratulatory hand was none other than Chanu.
“It was such a proud moment for me when she congratulated me and praised my performance,” Butt said of Mirabai Chanu.
Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth also hailed Mirabai Chanu as ‘Worthy’ of his hammer ‘Mjölnir’.
When a Twitter user by the name Saurabh Sinha congratulated Chanu Mirabai and tweeted, “Time for Thor to give up his hammer. @chrishemsworth” (sic), tagging the Australian action, the Thor actor replied, “She is worthy! Congrats, Saikhom, you legend.” (sic).
At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Chanu won the silver medal in 49 kg division with a total lift of 202 kg, becoming the first Indian weightlifter to win silver at the Olympics, the second Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari to win an Olympic medal.
And then, at the Commonwealth Games, 2022, held at Birmingham, England, Chanu won a gold medal in 49 kg category, the first gold at the event for India.
Chanu has been, indeed, an inspiration for many across the country. “Lifting 201kg never felt easy but thanks to the love and wishes of billions back home, every challenge is just an attempt away,” she said on winning the gold at Birmingham.
