Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has bagged India’s first gold medal of the 21st Commonwealth Games with a Games’ record lift of 196kg.
In complete command through her 48kg event, Mirabai broke Commonwealth records in both ‘snatch’ and ‘clean and jerk’ rounds as well. She lifted 86 kgs in snatch and 110kgs in the clean and jerk round.
The earlier CWG record in this weight category was 175 kg (77+98), in the name of Augustina Nwaokolo of Nigeria, which she achieved while winning gold in 2010 Delhi Games.
Mirabai, who had an earlier personal best of 194kgs, was the favourite for the gold coming into Gold Coast since none of her opponents at the event had lifted more than 180kgs. Mirabai’s likely closest rival was Amanda Braddock of Canada who has a personal best of 173 kg.
