Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has been appointed chairperson of the Indian Weightlifting Federation's (IWLF) newly formed athletes commission.
Chanu, who made history by becoming the first Indian weightlifter to win a silver medal at the Olympic Games, expressed her pride at the opportunity to serve fellow athletes. In a statement released by the IWLF on Tuesday, she said, “The opportunity to represent and uphold the voice of fellow weightlifters is a matter of great pride for me.”
“I pledge to take the responsibilities that come with the role seriously. I will work towards spreading the athletes' voice and viewpoints across all key channels to ensure we can continue to focus on the sport without being distracted by external factors,” she added.
Born in Manipur, Chanu is the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal, achieving silver in the 49kg category at the Tokyo Games by lifting a total of 210kg.
Despite being a strong contender at the Paris Olympics 2024, the 31-year-old was unable to add to her medal tally. She later revealed that weakness caused by her menstrual cycle had impacted her performance during the competition.
Chanu’s career remains one of the most decorated in Indian weightlifting. She has twice stood atop the podium at the Commonwealth Games, winning gold in both the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Her appointment is expected to provide a strong voice to active weightlifters, as she brings to the role both experience and empathy, having navigated the challenges of elite competition herself.
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