The Champion Inspiring Billions Across The Globe
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu is a force of nature. The Olympic champion’s sheer grit and determination have made her India’s most successful weightlifter. But few know that she almost quit the sport in 2016. When Chanu returned from her stint at the Rio 2016 Olympics, she was devastated and heartbroken. However, the ace weightlifter was quick to lift herself up and start all over again. She refused to give up on herself and consulted a psychologist who helped reinstate her self-belief. This time, Chanu bounced back strong, trained harder and returned home in glory.
Hailing from a tiny village in Manipur, Chanu didn’t grow up with the means to pursue a sport seriously. When she was given a chance to train in Manipur, she jumped at the opportunity. Chanu is so dedicated to her sport that she has barely been home in the last five years. The payoff of her hard work has been phenomenal. She has clinched a plethora of medals and in 2018, she won the prestigious Rajiv Khel Ratna Award. In 2021, Chanu also created a world record in Clean & Jerk by lifting 119 kgs in the Asian Championship. But her eyes are always on the next prize. At present, she’s busy prepping for the Paris 2024 Olympics, and this time, she’s planning to return with gold. For her outstanding achievements in the field of sports, Mirabai Chanu has been honoured with the Padma Shree and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Earlier this year, she added another feather to her already-overflowing cap of achievements. The government of Manipur recently inducted her as an Additional Superintendent of Police (sports) for the Manipur Police. This has given Chanu another chance to serve her country, and make her parents proud.
Power Move
Chanu might have multiple medals under her belt, but her biggest learning curve came after her loss at Rio Olympics 2016. Her dedication to work on herself and overcome failures has led to some remarkable achievements. Chanu bagged India’s first-ever silver medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making the nation swell with pride. With her resolve to keep moving ahead, Chanu’s name will certainly go down in the history of Indian sports.
The POPxo Power Women List is an annual list that celebrates incredible Indian women from diverse domains who make power moves that have a real impact. With The POPxo Power Women List 2022, we celebrate 22 phenomenal women. To see the entire list, click here.
