Mirabai Chanu gave India its first silver in weightlifting 49kg category on Day 1 of the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday. Image: Twitter

Xtra Time Web Desk: Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu made India proud by winning a silver medal on Day 1 of the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday. Chanu won the silver in the Women's 49kg category. China's Hou Zhihui clinched the gold medal. Chanu is now the fifth individual silver medal winner for India at the Olympics after Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Vijay Kumar, Sushil Kumar and PV Sindhu. It is also the country’s first silver in weightlifting. Karnam Malleswari won a bronze in the 69kg category at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Chanu lifted a total of 202 kg (87kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk) during her four successful attempts across the competition. China’s Zhihui Hou bagged gold with a total of 210kg and created a new Olympic Record while Indonesia’s Windy Cantika Aisah grabbed bronze with a total of 194kg.

The Manipur born weightlifter got off to a flying start after she completed her lift of 84 kg in the first attempt in snatch. She then proceeded to complete the 87kg weightlift with ease but failed to complete the 89kg lift in her last attempt.

Current world record holder Zhihui Hou in snatch created a new Olympic Record with 92kg attempt and then improved on it by completing 94kg lift in the last attempt.

In clean and jerk, Chanu came all guns blazing as she completed her first attempt of 110kg with ease and improved it later by lifting 115 kg. But failed to lift 117kg in her third attempt. She will feel disappointed though as she had earlier created a world record by lifting 119kg.

India at Tokyo Olympics: Mirabai Chanu gives India its first silver in weightlifting 49kg category on Day 1