CWG 2022: Dominant Mirabai Chanu’s bags first Gold for India, Manika Batra loses to a lower ranked player

Bringing joy to a billion people, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won India’s first Gold at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022. With this medal, India now has four medals at the CWG 2022. Earlier Sanket Sargar opened India’s account with a Silver in the 55kg category before Gururaja Poojary won Bronze in the 61 kg category. At the end of day two, Bindyarani Devi also won a silver in the 55kg category.

After the win, a delighted Chanu said, “I’m very happy that I secured a gold medal in the 48kg category and now securing a gold in 49kg in CWG 2022 is a surreal feeling.”

Mirabai first attempted a 90kg snatch but failed. When asked about her failed attempt she said, “I aimed to complete that 90kg snatch as I was doing it in training but unfortunately it didn’t come out today but yes I very confident about it and hopefully I will touch that 90kg mark anytime soon.”

The 27-year-old then lifted 113kg in clean and jerk in her second attempt. In her third attempt, confident that she would win, Chanu attempted a 119kg lift but failed. Her second attempt, however, was sufficient to win her a Gold. The Indian weightlifter lifted a record 29kg more than second-placed Mauritius’ Roilya Ranaivosoa (76+96kg). Canadian Hannah Kaminsky with a total weight of 171kg won Bronze.

After the win, Chanu said, “I want to dedicate this gold medal to my coach who has worked day in and day out for me, and secondly I want to dedicate it to my family for always standing by my side.”

Mirabai Chanu is one of India’s most successful athletes. Her biggest achievement so far has been a silver in the 2012 Olympics. Apart from that, however, she has won a hoard of other medals as well. She has already won a Gold (2018) and Silver (2014) at the Commonwealth Games before her victory in 2022. Additionally, she won a Gold medal in the 2017 World Championship as well as medals in Asian Championship.

Disappointment for Manika Batra

Elsewhere, Manika Batra, India’s highest-ranked table tennis player crashed out losing to a lower-ranked player. 44st ranked Batra narrowly defeated 3-2 to 556th ranked Ho Ying of Malaysia in what came as a surprise to all table tennis fans. The Indian star took a 2-0 lead but lost the next two before winning the last game to narrowly win 3-2 against Malaysia.

Her fourth match however was a total washout as Karen Lyne of Malaysia beat her 11-6, 11-3 and 11-9 to end India’s hopes in table tennis.
With four medals India now moves to eighth in the Commonwealth Games 2022. Australia sits comfortably at the top with a total of 32 medals.