Tokyo, Japan, July 26, 2021: From one Olympic hero to another – the most heartfelt of greetings!
That was the scene in the Olympic Village when India’s boxing legend MC Mary Kom bumped into the country’s newest sporting hero – Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, weightlifting silver medallist at 49kg on the first day of Tokyo 2020.
“Heartiest congratulations Saikhom Mirabai Chanu. Emotional and so happy to embrace each other. A proud Manipuri and a fighter for India. #Cheer4India,” Mary Kom posted on her Facebook.
The post quickly attracted 68,000 likes and almost 1,500 comments from proud Indians, especially from the North East region of Manipur.
Many of the comments praised the achievements of six-time boxing world champion and London 2012 bronze medallist Mary Kom as a mother and elite athlete to serve as an inspiration to Indian girls.
Mirabai Chanu, 26, had earlier posted: “I would like to specially thank Sports Authority of India and TOPS for extending every possible support for my continuous training in the country and abroad.
“This medal is only possible because of the teamwork. Thank you once again Sports Authority of India and TOPS.”
TOPS is the Target Olympic Podium Scheme initiated by the Sports Authority of India.
