Comebacks can be tough, but for an athlete, a good comeback can be crucial. Which is why Saikhom Mirabai Chanu’s astounding comeback match has been nothing short of a thing of beauty. Chanu showed what she is made of by winning gold at the EGAT Cup in Thailand.
The 24-year-old weightlifter was out of the action due to a serious back injury which resulted in a 9-month break from the international arena. This came after she won gold in Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Mirabai finished on the top leader board by by lifting a combination of 82 kgs (snatch) and 110 kgs (clean & jerk). However, this is not her best score in the 49 kg category. She lifted a total of 196 kgs in Commonwealth Games 2018, 4 kgs more than her score in EGAT Cup.
Nevertheless, it was an outstanding effort from her, coming after a break of nine months. The gold-medallist participated in the event out of compulsion in order to qualify for Tokyo Olympics 2022. It was mandatory for Mirabai to take part in EGAT Cup as ranking points will be based on three periods – November 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019; May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019; November 1, 2019 to April 30 2020.
@mirabai_chanu returns BACK to competition post CWG 2018 with a GOLD medalat EGAT’S Cup in Thailand – one of the qualifying tournaments for #Tokyo2020
Mira missed the Asian Games & World C’ship due to a back injury & has been in rehab since last 7 months! #ReadySteadyTokyo pic.twitter.com/9DaZSdnFOI
— OGQ (@OGQ_India) February 7, 2019
Here’s how Twitter reacted to her win,
Many congratulations @mirabai_chanu on the gold medal! A brilliant show especially after coming from injury Way to go… pic.twitter.com/QUGnUGteUm
— Manika Batra (@manikabatra_TT) February 7, 2019
What a comeback after 9 months of injury….Congratulations @mirabai_chanu on winning gold medal in her first tournament of 2019. This tournament is also the qualification for Tokyo Olympics 2020. pic.twitter.com/EVc1Bw8kOP
— Rahul Trehan (@imrahultrehan) February 7, 2019
And @mirabai_chanu is back!!
Wins Gold at EGAT Cup in Thailand, qualifying event for Tokyo lifting total of 192 kgs.This is her 1st international competition after CWG 2018 & serious back injury
So proud to support Mira and see her back at her best @OGQ_India pic.twitter.com/1lYplXuKed
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) February 7, 2019
Yeaaaassss @mirabai_chanu is back, in style!!! #Tokyo2020 #ReadySteadyTokyo https://t.co/cvLEOo3swu
— Neha Aggarwal (@nehaaggarwal) February 7, 2019
She suffered multiple injuries after winning gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Due to the absence of a physio, there was no one to pay immediate attention to her medical needs before or after the event. Let’s hope it isn’t the case during EGAT Cup as we pin our hopes on her for the Tokyo Olympics.
Happy on beginning the year on a positive note… I thank everyone for their love and support pic.twitter.com/m8FR8cn7em
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) February 7, 2019
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