In the quiet village of Nongpok Kakching in Manipur, a young girl once carried bundles of firewood with ease—firewood that her older brother struggled to lift. That girl, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, would go on to hoist the hopes of a billion people on her shoulders and etch her name into India’s sporting legacy.
Humble Beginnings
Born on August 8, 1994, Mirabai grew up in a modest Meitei household where resources were limited but dreams were limitless. Her strength was evident early on, not just in her physical ability but in her resolve. Inspired by Kunjarani Devi, another weightlifting icon from Manipur, Mirabai began training at the Sports Academy in Imphal. Her journey to the training center was often long and uncertain—she would hitch rides with truck drivers, some of whom she later honored publicly after her Olympic win. Her family, though financially constrained, stood firmly behind her. They couldn’t afford the best equipment or diet plans, but they gave her something more powerful: unwavering belief.
The Road to Glory
Mirabai’s rise was not without setbacks. After winning silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, she faced a crushing defeat at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she failed to register a single successful lift. But she didn’t crumble—she rebuilt.
In 2017, she stunned the world by clinching gold at the World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, lifting a total of 194 kg in the 48 kg category. Her comeback was complete, but her hunger remained.
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, she lifted 196 kg and won gold again. Then came the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she earned a historic silver in the 49 kg category—India’s first medal in weightlifting since 2000.
And in 2025, at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, Mirabai once again proved her mettle. She lifted a combined total of 193 kg—84 kg in snatch and 109 kg in clean & jerk—securing gold and setting new Commonwealth records.
Beyond Medals
Mirabai’s achievements have earned her the Padma Shri, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, and the love of millions. But what sets her apart is her humility. After her Olympic win, she bowed to the truck drivers who once helped her reach her training center, touching their feet in gratitude. Her story is not just about strength—it’s about character. She’s also become a symbol of empowerment for young girls in India’s northeast, showing that greatness can emerge from the most unexpected corners.
Legacy in Motion
Mirabai Chanu is more than a weightlifter. She is a living testament to resilience, a quiet warrior who turned personal struggle into national triumph. Her journey reminds us that true strength lies not just in muscles, but in spirit. In every lift, she carries not just iron plates—but the dreams of a nation.