Could not have asked for happier start to Tokyo Olympics: PM Modi on Chanu's silver medal win

New Delhi: Hailing weightlifter Mirabai Chanu’s silver medal win in the Tokyo Olympics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India is elated by her stupendous performance and that it couldn’t have asked for a happier start to the grand sporting event.

Chanu became the first Indian weightlifter to win silver medal in Olympics.

“Could not have asked for a happier start to Tokyo2020! India is elated by Mirabai Chanu’s stupendous performance. Congratulations to her for winning the Silver medal in weightlifting. Her success motivates every Indian,” Modi tweeted with the hashtag ”Cheer4India”.

Congratulating Mirabai Chanu for winning a silver medal, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, “Heartiest congratulations to Mirabai Chanu for starting the medal tally for India in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 by winning silver medal in weightlifting.”

Mirabai Chanu ended India’s 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics by clinching a silver medal in the 49 kg category to open the country’s account in Tokyo on Saturday.

The 26-year-old lifted a total of 202kg (87kg+115kg) to better Karnam Malleswari’s bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.