Mirabai Chanu once again made India proud by winning the country's first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in the women's 48kg weightlifting competition. The Olympic silver medallist combined sporting excellence with a touching display of patriotism, making her victory one of the most memorable moments of the tournament.
Before stepping onto the competition platform, Chanu wore butterfly-shaped hair clips crafted from ribbons in the colours of the Indian tricolour. She later revealed that she had made the clips herself the previous night as a tribute to the nation she was determined to represent with pride.
The symbolic gesture quickly caught attention, but it was her outstanding performance that secured the gold medal and gave India a perfect start to its campaign.
Mirabai Chanu patriotic tribute
The three-time Commonwealth Games champion said the tricolour hair clips were a small but meaningful way to honour India. Representing the country on the international stage has always been a matter of pride for Chanu, and she wanted to carry that feeling with her throughout the competition.
Her victory added another major milestone to an already remarkable career that includes an Olympic silver medal and multiple Commonwealth Games titles. Once again, she demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure and deliver when India needed her most.
Mirabai Chanu national anthem
The celebration became even more emotional during the medal ceremony. As the Indian flag was raised and the national anthem echoed across the arena, Chanu found it difficult to hold back tears.
She later said the emotional moment came naturally because winning India's first gold medal and watching the tricolour fly high was a dream come true. According to Chanu, those were tears of happiness and gratitude for the opportunity to bring glory to the country.
The champion weightlifter also thanked millions of Indians for their prayers, encouragement and unwavering support. She credited their faith in her as an important source of motivation throughout her journey.
Mirabai Chanu's combination of determination, humility and patriotism made her victory far more than just another gold medal. Her heartfelt tribute through the handmade tricolour hair clips and her emotional reaction during the national anthem created an unforgettable sporting moment that will remain one of the defining memories of the Commonwealth Games.
