Indian Skipper Virat Kohli Delivers A Special Message For The Silver-Medalist Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu

Indian captain Virat Kohli has been following the ongoing Olympics in Tokyo quite passionately. While Virat Kohli is a cricketer, he takes as much interest in the athletes’ achievements belonging to other sports. Predictably, Kohli felt proud of Mirabai Chanu winning the silver medal in weightlifting and sent a special message for her.

The cricketing fraternity hailed Manipur’s Mirabai Chanu, who became the first Indian to win a medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Mirabai Chanu clinched the silver medal in the 49 Kg category, putting behind the heartbreak of the previous Olympics event. She lifted a jaw-dropping 209 Kg in the women’s 49 kg division.

As a result, Chanu became the second Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari to win an Olympic medal. The 26-year old scripted a new Olympic record by lifting 115 Kg successfully and cleanly. Chanu started with an 84 kg lift and later upgraded to 87, elevating herself in a commanding position.

The 26-year old overcome China’s Zhihui Hou, who also bounced back by 87 kg in her first attempt. However, Chanu further upgraded by lifting 94 kg in the third, creating an Olympic record. Soon after her accomplishment, the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan, Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble and several others hailed the weightlifter.

Below is Virat Kohli’s meesage:

#TeamIndia captain @imVkohli has a special message for weightlifter @mirabai_chanu, who won India's first medal at @Tokyo2020. ?? ? ?@IndiaSports | @Media_SAI | @WeAreTeamIndia pic.twitter.com/suRbQmB4bd

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 26, 2021

BCCI posted Virat Kohli’s message on Twitter as he lauded Mirabai Chanu for creating the nation’s hopes into a memorable win. The 32-year old urged the country to get behind the Indian athletes, competing in the global event. “Mirabai Chanu has shouldered the hopes of the nation and converted it into glory. Watch our Indian athletes compete in the Tokyo Olympics,” Kohli said in the video.

On the cricketing side of things, Virat Kohli is gearing up for the forthcoming five-match Test series against England. The Indian skipper could not participate in the three-day warm-up game in Durham against the County Select XI due to a back niggle. However, he was seen batting during the lunch break on day three, facing India’s reserve bowlers.

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