Red carpet rolled out for CWG gold medallists Mirabai and Sanjita
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2018: Weightlifters, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu who brought home one gold medal each from the recently concluded Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 were given a warm reception by Manipur Weightlifting Association today at the office of the Manipur Olympic Association located at Khuman Lampak Imphal.

The felicitation programme was attended by Moirangjam Lokendro Singh, working president of Manipur Weightlifting Association; Sunil Elangbam, secretary of the association and other key members of the association.

Saikhom Mirabai broke her own record with a total lift of 196 kg in the 48 kg class to win the gold at the games which was held at Gold Coast from April 4 to 15 while Kh Sanjita broke the existing CWG record with a lift of 84kg in the snatch category and then lifted 108 in the clean & jerk to finish with a combined effort of 192 kg and won the gold medal in the 53 kg event.

Speaking on the occasion, secretary of Manipur Weightlifting Association, Sunil Elangbam expressed pride over the achievements of the two weightlifters of the State and longed for more better performance in the upcoming Asian Games 2018 and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Two male along with the two gold medallists will perform better in the Asian Championship to be hosted in India in 2019 and are expected to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, he added.

Sunil on behalf of the association also lauded the relentless efforts of coaches, L Anita, Ng Brojen and A Ranjan to mention in supporting and producing a number of eminent players from the State.

M Lokendro who also gifted simple presents to the two lifters on the occasion, urged them to establish weightlifting academies in the future to help growing players of the State and also asked earnestly the State Government to conduct many competitions and provide financial assistance like incentives during their struggling periods.

He also advised all the weightlifters present to be very careful about their diets.

Kh Sanjita who also won a gold medal in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, conveyed gratitude to the association and coaches who helped her in achieving such heights.

S Mirabai also expressed her thankfulness to the family members, coaches and Manipur Weightlifting Association for supporting her in every steps and guided her to scale new heights in the game of weightlifting.

It is unfortunate to see male weightlifters despite their good performances are struggling behind, Mirabai added.

She also asked all male athletes to work a bit harder and wished them for bigger achievements in the future.

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