We feel empowered and are motivated to perform: CWG gold-medallist Mirabai Chanu after meeting PM Modi

Commonwealth Games 2022 gold-medallist Mirabai Chanu has said that the athletes feel empowered and are motivated to perform after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi hosted India's CWG contingent at his residence on Saturday (August 13).

TN Sports Desk

Updated Aug 13, 2022, 18:51 IST

Mirabai Chanu won a gold medal at CWG 2022.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

PM Modi hosted India's CWG contingent on Saturday
Modi addressed the athletes at his residence
The Indian contingent won 61 medals at the event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (August 13) hosted the athletes who took part in the Commonwealth Games 2022. Modi hosted the Indian contingent at his residence and addressed those in attendance. He was joined by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.

"This is just the beginning for our #YuvaShakti… the Golden age of Indian sports has just begun! Under Khelo India, I urge all athletes to meet the youth under Meet the Champions initiative, to inspire and encourage them. Under Khelo India, I urge all athletes to meet the youth under Meet the Champions initiative, to inspire and encourage them," PM Modi said during his address.

"We have to intensify our efforts to find new talent and take them to the podium. We have to create a sports ecosystem that is inclusive, diverse and dynamic. No athlete should be left behind."

The Indian contingent had a memorable run at CWG 2022 as the athletes brought home 61 medals. Out of these, 22 were gold medals. One of the athletes to bring home the golden glory was weightlifter Mirabai Chanu. There were high hopes from Mirabai after her success at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and she lived up to the expectations.

Elated with meeting PM Modi again, CWG gold-medallist Mirabai Chanu said that they feel empowered and are motivated to perform. "Earlier people weren't aware of weightlifting, now there are players who are coming into weightlifting. PM Modi interacted with us before we left for the Commonwealth games. We feel empowered and are motivated to perform for India," she told ANI.

Mirabai has emerged as one of the best weightlifters in the country and she would now aim for the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. The 28-year-old lifted a total weight of 201 kg at CWG 2022. She emerged as the top contender to win the medal after a lift of 84kg in the snatch event. She followed up with a lift of 113kg in clean and jerk.

Jeremy Lalrinnunga, Achinta Sheuli, Vikas Thakur, Bindyarani Devi, Sanket Sargar, Gururaja Poojary, Harjinder Kaur, Lovepreet Singh and Gurdeep Singh were other weightlifters who won medals at the quadrennial event.

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