Manipur’s pride – India’s first two gold medalists at the Commonwealth Games 2018 -- weightlifters Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu will get cash reward of Rs 15 lakh each. The state government announced this on Friday (April 6).
Mirabai set a new record by clinching India’s first gold on the first day of the Commonwealth Games 2018. She won in the women’s 48 kg weightlifting category, going on to better her own personal record. A day after, another weightlifting star from Manipur, Sanjita, won a gold in the women’s 53 kg category. Sanjita is being praised for her extraordinary moves.
Bhartiya Naari Sab par Bhaari. One more Gold. Congratulations #SanjitaChanu for winning our second gold in #GC2018Weightlifting in the women's 53kg category. #CWG2018
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 6, 2018
Her second CWG gold after the 48kg one in Glasgow. Proud of you champion. pic.twitter.com/Xnms7T6Byz
It was a stunning show from the Manipuri weightlifters as World Champion Mirabai created a new Commonwealth Games record in the process, breaking six records in six lifts to finish first in the women’s 48 kg. For Sanjita, it was her second Commonwealth gold. She had won the 48 kg event in Glasgow four years ago.
Congratulations #MirabaiChanu for #Gold! #CWG2018 #GoldCoast #ProudMoment pic.twitter.com/EgiFTDXywf
— Mary Kom OLY (@MangteC) April 5, 2018
Awards pouring in
According to a government rule, cash prizes of Rs 15 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 8 lakh would be awarded to all the players of the state who win gold, silver and bronze medals respectively in the ongoing Commonwealth Games.
Earlier, Mirabai was feted by Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. He presented her with a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh after she won gold at the World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, United States, in 2017.
Mirabai was also awarded the Padmashri by the Government of India for her contributions to the sport in 2018.
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