An athlete par excellence from India! She won the first gold at Birmingham to make her country proud. Her smile, confidence was superb. She bent down from her waist to touch the bar & went to her forehead in reverence. Then folded her hands in ‘namaskar’ before lifting the weights.
Her joy at winning, baring her teeth, singing the national anthem with the tunes playing, entire Indian contingent on their feet & waving the tricolour!!
Her journey was never easy. Born on 8 August 1994 in Nongpok Kakching, 30 km away from Imphal, Manipur. When she was 12, she could easily carry a bundle of firewood home when her elder brother found it hard to even pick up!
She trained at the Sports Academy in Manipur. Hitched rides with truck drivers carrying sand. After winning the Olympic medal, she invited the truck drivers to offer her gratitude & touched their feet as a sign of respect.
In 49 kg category at Birmingham, England she lifted a total of 201 kg in snatch & clean and jerk way ahead of the silver medallist.
Way to go Mirabai! Our best wishes for you & wishing you all the success in the future.
Asian Entertainment 