Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu wins India its first gold at Commonwealth Games 2018

At the 21st edition of Commonwealth Games, India's star weightlifter Mirabhai Chanu secured the first gold after a scintillating performance in the woman's 48 kg category. The ongoing sports event at Gold Coast, Australia saw the Manipuri champion fight for the spot with Marie Hanitra of Mauritius and Dinusha Gomes, who finished the second and third after Mirabhai.

Chanu also broke her record two times with successful attempts of 84kg and 86kg. She lifted 80kg, 84kg and 86kg in each of her attempts, and in clean and jerk, where she lifted 103kg, 107kg and 110kg. She registered 86kg in the snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk for a total of 196kg. In the 84kg and 86kg, she broke the previous records of ten other competitors who went up before her. That gave her a massive lead of 10 kilograms over second-placed Marie at the end of the snatch session, says a report by IANS.

The Manipuri went on to post a new personal best with 110kg in her third and final attempt to close off a dominating performance, says a report by Firstpost. Only yesterday, India inaugurated its medal tally with Gururaja Poojary who won silver in the men's 56kg class. Only last year, Mirabai won a gold at the World Weightlifting Championships, becoming the second Indian to win gold for India in more than 20 years.

At the ongoing Commonwealth Games, star shuttler P.V Sindhu led the Indian contingent at a glittering opening ceremony, which launched the 21st edition. The Rio Olympics silver medallist carried the tri-colour at the head of the Indian contingent, which also included fellow badminton stars HS Pranoy and Kidambi Srikanth.

A total of 71 nations will compete in 275 events across 19 disciplines at the games, which will conclude on April 15.

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