Manipur celebrates Mirabai Chanu's gold

India's Mirabai Chanu during the women's 49kg weightlifting category match of the Commonwealth Games 2022 (CWG), in Birmingham. Credit: PTI Photo

Manipur burst into celebrations as Mirabai Chanu clinched the first gold medal for India at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Residents of Nongpok Kakching in Imphal East district, Chanu's native place, were glued to the television sets on Saturday night. As her Gold was confirmed, they burst into joy.

Her mother Tombi Devi said she could not sleep on the night before the competition and was only praying for her victory.

"I am so proud of her. We stayed up late last night to see her event. Now, her sisters, relatives and the neighbours are celebrating with the tricolour, and some indulging in the traditional Thabal Chongba dance," she said.

Also Read | Record-breaking Mirabai Chanu claims India's first gold at Commonwealth Games

Chanu (49kg) went on a record-smashing spree, claiming four of them in a power-packed performance, to bag India's first gold medal at the Games on Saturday.

The Olympic silver medallist obliterated the Games record in clean and jerk as well as total lift.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said he was super proud of Manipur's "superstar daughter".

"There's no better feeling than seeing our tricolour fly high on the world stage. The entire nation is proud of you Mirabai," he said.