Mirabai Chanu - The champion whom Thor once acknowledged worthy of his legendary hammer

Mirabai Chanu is a world champion, an Olympic silver medallist (PTI/File Photo)

Mirabai Chanu is one of the leading sporting personalities in India and has been shouldering Indian weightlifting to new heights for almost a decade. She is a world champion, an Olympic silver medallist, and a diminutive figure who "Thor" (Chris Hemsworth) once acknowledged as "worthy" of his legendary hammer. The journey to the top wasn't easy, but her goal was much bigger than the challenges.

She is worthy! Congrats, Saikhom, you legend.
Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) August 4, 2022

"Mujhe India ko represent karna hain. Toh woh cheez ko aage rakhthe huye main yaha tak pahuchi hoon," Mirbai told Moneycontrol over the phone describing how tough it was and still is for athletes from villages. Mirabai comes from Nongpok Kakching, about 20 kilometers from Imphal, the capital of Manipur, and had to ask truck drivers for lifts for training. Her initial years were tough, but she found the most comfort in her mother, to whom she dedicates this journey, before adding, "unhone support nahi kiya hota toh main shayad yaha tak nahi phauch pati."

The Olympics in Paris was her third and left her with some bittersweet memories. Her bid to earn India a successive medal at sports' biggest extravaganza fell short by the barest of margins as she finished fourth in the women's 49kg event. "I won a silver medal in Tokyo but returned empty-handed from Paris. I think about it and feel sad as well, but simultaneously with hard work, luck also matters, and if it is not my day nothing can be done."

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Mirabai also feels the injury she sustained at the Hangzhou Asian Games, a sad sight when she clutched her thigh and collapsed, also had a lot to do with her performance in Paris. "The injury which I sustained at the Asian Games kept occurring on and off and it stopped me from putting in the effort, which is required" she noted.

Current ecosystem

Mirbai's over decade-long journey in the international circuit has seen her travel the world and does most of her training in the US. Despite this Mira, as people fondly call her, maintains that India has the best training facilities but the care and nourishment by foreign physiotherapists, is something the weightlifter feels keeps her in the US. "I've been in Patiala since 2012 and post the Tokyo Olympics I've seen plenty of changes in most SAI (Sports Authority of India) centers, which cater to international athletes. But injury can occur at any stage of one's career and we can't spend much time recuperating from it as competition can come anytime. To recover and protect ourselves from it we need better physios and doctors and this is the reason I go to the US."

"It's not that India doesn't have good physios, but the perfection, relationship with an athlete, exercises will help us recover quicker. For instance, Dr. Aaron (Horschig) is my physio and is very good and was previously a weightlifter. Otherwise, it is pointless to train outside the country. So if I want to see any change, it is this - good doctors and physiotherapists," she said.

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The 30-year-old also expressed happiness over the increase in women's participation in sports and highlighted that "most Indian women athletes are doing well." She then pointed out the names of Manu Bhaker, Lovlina Borgohain, Nikhat Zareen, and Vinesh Phogat and said, "The coming generation can draw inspiration from them."

And Mirabai advocates three necessary aspects - hard work, sacrifice, and discipline - to reach the pinnacle.