INDIAN weightlifter Mirabai Chanu returned to the country on Monday after her superb silver medal-winning performance at the Tokyo Olympics, walking into sheer chaos after stepping out of the airport where social distancing went for a toss. Chanu walked out of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, flanked by security and clad in a face shield and mask. “Happy to be back here in amidst so much love and support. Thank You so much,” she tweeted after landing. Inside the airport, the 26-year-old was greeted with chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ by the staff present there and felicitated by officials of the Sports Authority of India among others.

 

Once out, the young star was mobbed by the waiting media, leading to a melee and had to be completely enveloped by security personnel as she made her way through. She is scheduled to meet sports minister Anurag Thakur later in the evening. The diminutive Manipuri lifted a total of 202kg (87kg+115kg) in the 49kg category to better Karnam Malleswari’s bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics on Saturday. With that performance, she exorcised the ghosts of the 2016 Games where she had failed to log a single legitimate lift, leaving her shattered. Chanu has also been a former world champion and a Commonwealth Games gold-medallist.

 

MANIPUR TO APPOINT MIRABAI AS ASP: MANIPUR Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that weightlifter Chanu will be appointed as the Additional Superintendent of Police in the state police department. The state government would also reward her with Rs 1 crore, the Chief Minister said. The Olympian who won the silver medal in the 49 kg category will hold the designation of Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports), Singh said.

 

The Manipur government has also decided to establish a world-class weightlifting academy in the state soon, he added.

Judoka L Sushila Devi will also be promoted from the rank of constable to sub-inspector, Singh said. All participants of the Tokyo Olympics will be handed a sum of Rs 25 lakh, he announced. At least five athletes from Manipur, including Chanu, Devi and boxer Mary Kom, are representing the country at Tokyo Olympics.