The hope was that the earrings would bring her “good luck”. It didn’t happen in the Rio 2016 Games, but Chanu made the little sacrifice count in Tokyo on Saturday with a silver medal and Saikhom Ongbi Tombi Leima has struggled to stop her tears from flowing ever since.
Mirabai Chanu’s family and neighbours are elated after her silver-medal winning feat. Pic/PTI
A historic silver medal and a radiant smile were not the only eye-catching things about Mirabai Chanu on Saturday in Tokyo. Her gold earrings shaped like Olympic rings were as striking, a gift from her mother who sold her own jewellery for them five years ago.
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The hope was that the earrings would bring her “good luck”. It didn’t happen in the Rio 2016 Games, but Chanu made the little sacrifice count in Tokyo on Saturday with a silver medal and Saikhom Ongbi Tombi Leima has struggled to stop her tears from flowing ever since.
Also Read: Mirabai Chanu creates world record in clean and jerk
“I saw the earrings on TV. I made them for her before the Rio Olympics from the gold pieces and savings I had, so that they bring luck and success,” Leima told PTI from her home in Manipur, where a considerable number of relatives, friends and well-wishers gathered to watch Chanu script history in Tokyo.
“I was in tears seeing it and also during the moment she won the medal. Her father [Saikhom Kriti Meitei] was also in tears. Tears of joy. All her hard work has led to the success.”
Chanu ended India’s 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics, clinching silver in the 49kg.
Also Read: Mirabai Chanu: I'll beat China to win gold at Olympics
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