Tokyo: Mirabai Chanu ended 21 years India waiting for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics by winning a silver medal in the 49kg category to open a country account here on Saturday.
The 26-year-old lifted a total of 202kg (87kg + 115kg) for a better bronze Karnam Malleswari at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
With this, he expelled Ghost Ghosts 2016 where he failed to record a legitimate elevator.
Gold went to Hou Zhihui China with 210kg (94kg + 116kg), while Aisah Windy Cantika from Indonesia brought home bronze with an effort to 194kg (84kg + 110kg).
Considering his weakness in carrying out the Marquee event, Chanu tried 84kg in his first snatch effort.
Manipuri took her time and cleaned Barbel.
He raised 87kg in the next effort and raised the weight to 89kg, which was 1kg more than the best of his personal from the 88kg he lifted in the national championship last year.
However, he could not repair the best and settled for 87kg on the Snatch event only behind the leader Zhihui, which created a new Olympic record with an effort of 94kg.
Chinese lifter also holds the world mark (96kg) in the category.
In a clean jerk, Chanu, the world record holder in the section, raised 110 kg and 115kg in the first two attempts.
However, he could not increase 117kg in his last attempt but it was enough to pick him up medals and open an Indian account.
Mannipuri small broke down after realizing that he had secured a medal and hugged his coach happily.
He then broke through the dance also to celebrate the completion of the historic podium.
Watch Tokyo Olympics 2020: Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu Want Silver Medal