I learned a lot from the Rio Olympics: Mirabai Chanu
India's world record holder weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has learned her lessons from the Rio meltdown five years ago and is now confident of doing well at the Tokyo Olympics. Last month, Chanu had revealed that she was "completely broken" after the failure at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and talking to a psychologist helped her get back on track.
'I have evolved as a weightlifter since the last Olympics'
She said she has evolved as a weightlifter since the last Olympics, changing and tweaking techniques. "I learned a lot by participating in the Rio Olympics. In fact, I have learned everything from Rio - from my weaknesses to how to rectify them, how to improve myself," Chanu said in a video posted by Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Monday.
Chanu bagged gold medal at World Championship and Commonwealth Games
Chanu had put up a highly disappointing performance at the Rio Games as she could not get an overall total in women's 48kg after failing to lift the weight in any attempt of the clean & jerk section. But since then, she has won the gold medal in the World Championship and Commonwealth Games, and things are looking bright for the 26-year-old Manipuri athlete.
I have always looked up to Kunjarani Devi: Chanu
Asked about deriving inspiration, it was no surprise when she mentioned the name of Kunjarani Devi, the first superstar of Indian weightlifting. "I would look up to Kunjarani madam a lot, she was a top player, and from Manipur. I would also think that I have to be like madam, win lots of medals like her," Chanu said.
Kunjarani Devi had a decorated career
"Whenever I am in any doubt or under any sort of pressure, I look at my videos and try to motivate myself," Chanu said. Among others, Kunjarani won seven silver medals at the world championships and two bronze at the Asian Games during her career.
Tokyo Olympics will begin on July 23
When asked about her message to fellow Tokyo-bound athletes, Padma Shri Chanu said, "I wish all the luck to all the athletes who have qualified for the Olympics. We all must strive to give our best for India and the country." The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8.
