World champion weightlifter Mirabai Chanu (48kg) went on a record-smashing spree, claiming three of them in a power-packed performance, to secure India's first gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
In a remarkable performance, Chanu smashed the Commonwealth and the Games record in snatch, pulling off clean lifts in all her three attempts (80kg, 84kg and 86kg). She then lifted more than double her body weight (103kg, 107kg and 110kg) in three successful attempts to claim the clean and jerk, as well as the overall Games record.
The showing helped her better the silver she had won in the 2014 Glasgow CWG.
The Indian ended with a score of 196kg (86kg+110kg), earning a massive applause from the fans at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.
The 23-year-old's previous best was a total lift of 194kg (snatch 85kg and 109kg in clean and jerk) achieved in the World Championships a few months ago.
She had won a silver in the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, having finished behind compatriot Sanjita Chanu, but in the four years since then, the 23-year-old Manipuri has made rapid strides to reach a truly world class level. She lifted a total of 170kg (75kg in snatch and 95kg in clean and jerk).
Mirabai grabbed the spotlight last November when she bagged a World Championship gold in USA with a total lift of 194kg (85+109), becoming only the second Indian weightlifter to achieve the feat.
Before the World Championships, she had also won the Commonwealth Championships gold in Australia in July 2017, with a total lift of 189kg (85+104).
India has been the dominant force in this 48kg weight category since women’s weightlifting was included in 2002 Manchester Games.
The legendary N Kunjarani won two back-to-back gold in this category in 2002 and 2006 Games, but India missed out on a gold in 2010 at home.
"Kunjarani has been one of my idols and I grew up in Manipur watching and learning about her exploits. She has been one of the reasons for my taking up the sport. I am feeling happy that I am doing well for the country in a weight category she has done so well in the past for the country," Chanu had said in an earlier interview.
Born in a poor family at Nongpok Kakching in Manipur, Mirabai is the youngest of six siblings. She has two brothers and three sisters. His father still works as a lower level employee at the Pubic Works Department in Imphal, the state capital, while her mother runs a small shop at their village.
"When I was young and when I started my sport, it was a very difficult situation. My father's salary and the small income that comes from my mother's shop could hardly meet the ends of the family. It is better now as I am also working but you cannot say that we are well-off. We are still struggling," she said.
All her siblings are married now and she is supporting her parents financially.
"My goal is to win a medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. That is the dream I am living with and for which I will do anything under the sun," she signed off.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)