From Mirabai Chanu's home state Manipur, Bindyarani Devi makes India proud

New Delhi: On a day when Manipur’s Mirabai Chanu won Gold for India in weightlifting, another weightlifter from the state Bindyarani Devi picked a Silver at Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.

The 23-year-old created a Games record in women’s 55 kg category by lifting 116kg in the clean and jerk after a personal best of 86kg in the snatch section, totalling 202 kg on Saturday.

"It is my first CWG and I feel very happy about the silver and about the Games record as well," Bindyarani said.

Bindyarani had won the Commonwealth Championships gold in 2019 before getting a silver in the 2021 edition.

Daughter of a farmer who also owns grocery shop, Bindyarani took up weightlifting due to her short height.

"I was into taekwondo from 2008 to 2012 after that I shifted to weightlifting. I had a height problem so had to shift. Everyone told my height is ideal for weightlifting. So I changed." Bindyarani was in the bronze medal finish after the snatch section with a personal best of 86kg, behind Olarinoye (92kg) and Fraer (89kg).

The Indian made an unsuccessful second attempt for 115 kg before lifting a kilogram more to elevate her to silver medal position from bronze as Morrow fluffed her final 115kg attempt.

Besides Chanu and Bindyarani, Sanket Sargar and Gururaja Poojary had clinched silver and bronze medals, respectively, on Saturday.