Mirabai Chanu, Sanjita Chanu given grand welcome on return to Imphal

Upon their arrival at the Imphal international airport at around 9.30 am, hundreds of young weightlifters, local state officials, well-wishers and family members welcomed Mirabai Chanu and Sanjita Chanu with celebratory slogans and garlands

Two weightlifters from Manipur - Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu, who won gold medals at the recently-concluded 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, were accorded a heroes’ welcome when they returned home on Thursday.

Mirabai Chanu (L) and Sanjita Chanu were given a grand reception on their return to Imphal on Thursday. (HT photo)

Upon their arrival at the Imphal international airport at around 9.30 am, hundreds of young weightlifters, local state officials, well-wishers and family members welcomed the duo with celebratory slogans and garlands.

Later, the two weightlifters were carried in two well decorated vehicles to the Khuman Lampak sports complex in the city for a brief reception, following which they left for their respective villages.

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“To achieve our respective goals, we need to be patient and work hard and I hope our colleagues in the sports arena will make our state and country proud by bringing more titles,” said Mirabai Chanu, who credited her coaches L Anita Chanu and Oja Brojen for helping her bring international laurels.

Mirabai Chanu had won India’s first gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games when she finished top in the women’s 48 kg weightlifting while her colleague Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu won India’s second gold medal in Gold Coast, finishing first in the women’s 53 kg weightlifting.