MY KOLKATA EDUGRAPH
ADVERTISEMENT
regular-article-logo Friday, 26 April 2024

Tokyo Olympics: Mirabai Chanu might get medal upgrade, anti-doping authorities to test Chinese weightlifter

Gold winner Zhihui Hou asked to stay back in Japan for necessary formalities

Our Bureau Published 26.07.21, 02:31 PM
Mirabai Chanu.

Mirabai Chanu. File Photo.

Mirabai Chanu's Tokyo Olympics saga is probably not over yet.

The 26-year-old Manipuri, who won a silver in weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday, might be up for a medal upgrade. Yes, she could end up with a gold.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to news agency ANI, anti-doping authorities in Tokyo will test China's Zhihui Hou, who won gold in the 49kg category at the Tokyo International Forum. And if Hou fails the scrutiny, Chanu will be awarded the coveted yellow metal.

Hou has reportedly been asked to stay back in Tokyo for the tests.

Chanu had ended India's 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics. She lifted a total of 202kg (87kg+115kg) to better Karnam Malleswari's bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. With this, she exorcised the ghosts of the 2016 Games where she had failed to log a single legitimate lift.

China's Hou Zhihui lifted 210kg (94kg+116kg), while Aisah Windy Cantika of Indonesia took home the bronze with an effort of 194kg (84kg+110kg).

Considered her weakness in the run up to the marquee event, Chanu attempted 84kg in her first snatch attempt. The Manipuri took her time and cleanly heaved the barbell. She lifted 87kg in her next attempt and raised the weight to 89kg, which was one 1kg more than her personal best of 88kg that she had lifted at the national championship last year. However, she was unable to better her personal best and settled for 87kg in the snatch event only behind leader Zhihui, who created a new Olympic record with an effort of 94kg.

Follow us on:
ADVERTISEMENT