How Cricket Legend Tendulkar Inspired Olympic Silver-Medallist Mirabai Chanu

Mumbai: Meeting Sachin Tendulkar is still the dream of many, including an Olympic medallist who has just done our coubtry of 135 billion proud.

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who bagged a silver medal on the day after the opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympics, was delighted to be invited to the cricket legend’s residence on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old weightlifter from Manipur, who became only the second Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari to claim an Olympic medal, was floored by Tendulkar’s words of wisdon.

“Loved meeting @sachin_rt Sir this morning! His words of wisdom & motivation shall always stay with me. Really inspired,” Mirabai wrote on Twitter.

Tendulkar showed his humility and appreciation for Mirabai.

“Equally happy to meet you this morning, @mirabai_chanu! It was wonderful talking to you about your inspiring journey from Manipur to Tokyo. You’ve got places to go in the coming years, keep working hard,” Sachin tweeted.

Equally happy to meet you this morning, @mirabai_chanu! ?

It was wonderful talking to you about your inspiring journey from Manipur to Tokyo.

You’ve got places to go in the coming years, keep working hard. https://t.co/YH4ta0cVY0

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 11, 2021

Mirabai had a heart-breaking Rio Olympics in 2016, when she couldn’t complete a single lift. Five years later, she made amends in style, lifting a total of 202 kg at the Tokyo Games to finish second on the podium.

She became only the second Indian woman after PV Sindhu to win a silver medal at the Olympics.

Indians achieved their best medal haul at any Olympic Games, claiming 1 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze for a total of seven medals at Tokyo. The previous best was six medals at the 2012 London Games.