Mirabai Chanu bags silver in weightlifting as India begin Tokyo Olympics campaign

Zhihui of China bagged the gold while Aiusha Kantika from Indonesia took the bronze.

Displaying tremendous grit and determination, Chanu, who returned empty handed in last Olympic games at Rio and was the lone Indian lifter in this Olympics, rose to the occasion and earned the silver with a total lift of 202 kgs (87 kg clean and jerk and 115 in snatch) clinched the. 

Zhihui's total lift was 210 kg (94 and116) while Kantika's total lift was 194 kgs (84 and110).

Earlier in 2000 at the Sydney Olympics, India's Karnam Malleswari won a bronze in women's 59 kg category.

This was the first time that India won a medal on the opening day of the competition since they took part in the Olympics since 2000.

Chanu after winning the medal said, "I am very. I have been dreaming of this day for the last five years. I am proud of myself. I did try for gold but even a silver is a great achievement for me".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur congratulated Chanu for her fine performance.

Modi tweeted, "Could not have asked for a happier start to @Tokyo2020! India is elated by @mirabai_chanu’s stupendous performance. Congratulations to her for winning the Silver medal in weightlifting. Her success motivates every Indian."

Thakur tweeted, "India’s 1st medal on day 1 ! @mirabai_chanu wins SILVER in women's 49 kg weightlifting! India is so proud of you Mira! Beside Chanu, India's men hockey team put up a spirited show to edge past New Zealand 3-2 with keeper Sreejesh displaying inspiring performance."

In tennis also, Sumit Nagal won his first round match in the men's singles defeating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in three sets .6-4, 6-7(6) and 6-4.

In table tennis, Monica Batra crossed her first round hurdle in women's singles beating Great Britain's Tin Tin Ho 11-7, 11-6, 12-10,and 11-9.

However in hooting archery, India failed to make any impact Saturday as hot favourite Sourav Chowdhury could not make a podium finish in 10m air pistol while archeries Deepika Kumari and Pravin Yadav made their exit in the mixed pair event losing to top ranked South Africa in the quarter final.