Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday announced that the state government would give a cash award of Rs 1 crore to Saikhom Mirabai Chanu for winning the silver medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The chief minister made the announcement during a video interaction with the Olympian.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu became the first Indian to win an Olympic medal by winning the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Also read: Mirabai Chanu becomes first Indian to win medal in 2020 Olympic
She won the medal in the women’s 49kg category.
Hou Zhihui from China clinched the gold medal at the mega event.
So good to speak to our Champion @mirabai_chanu today.@narendramodi @AmitShah @ianuragthakur @JPNadda @blsanthosh pic.twitter.com/1phL16ibh3
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) July 24, 2021
Mirabai Chanu, a 26-year-old weightlifter from Manipur, went for 117 kg on her final attempt but failed in the attempt and settled for silver.
The new Olympic record was registered by Mirabai Chanu with a successful lift of 115kg in clean and jerk.
Earlier on June 29, 2021, the Manipur chief minister announced that all the five athletes from Manipur, who qualified for Tokyo Olympics, would be handed financial support of Rs 25 lakh and would be given more cash awards if they return with medals.
The Manipur CM announced that the gold medal winner would be given a cash prize of Rs 1.20 crore and the silver medallist would get Rs 1 crore.
The bronze medal winner would get Rs 75 lakh, the Manipur CM announced.
Apart from Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting), Manipur’s P Sushila Chanu (hockey), Nilakanta Sharma (hockey), Shushila Likmabam (judo) and MC Mary Kom (boxing) qualified for the Tokyo Olympics 2020.