Olympian Mirabai Chanu rewards truck drivers who helped her during training days

Team Udayavani, Aug 6, 2021, 12:19 PM IST

Mirabai Chanu, who won India’s first medal at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, is now thanking all those who helped her win.

For the unversed, Chanu created history as she bagged a silver medal in the women’s 49 kg weightlifting event with a total lift of 202 Kg.

Chanu’s village Nongpok Kakching was about 30 km away from the Sports Academy in Imphal. As the commute to the sports academy from the village and vice versa was tough to find and since Chanu comes from an underprivileged family, private transport wasn’t an option. Hence Chanu used to hitch rides with truck drivers who used to carry sand to Imphal. These truck drivers regularly gave Mirabai Chanu a free lift to her training academy.

After bagging a medal at Olympics, Chanu tracked down those Good Samaritans and felicitated them.

NDTV reported that she treated around 150 truck drivers and helpers to a shirt, a Manipuri scarf and a full-course lunch.

What a kind gesture by our Olympic medalist @mirabai_chanu
Today she rewarded truck drivers in Imphal who use to give her lift from home to sports academy during her early training days. Her home was more than 25 km from the Academy & there was no means of transport those days. pic.twitter.com/lxmpej8E3m

— Rahul Trehan (@imrahultrehan) August 5, 2021

Chanu said that free rides helped Mirabai and her family save up on the transport cost, and instead, the money went into her diet during her training days as a teen.

Below is how the netizens reacted.

Really emotional moment for me. So proud of her act of giving back much respect and love @mirabai_chanu 💐❤️ https://t.co/0g30zMjz6g

— Shams Aalam 🇮🇳 (@IamShamsAalam) August 6, 2021

Never forget the past rightly said.. its because of past we are in present…many people often forget past when achievements touch their feet but few legend like @mirabai_chanu recognize past who helped in the time of need…that's why I m sure in paris Olympic,gold for her🙏 https://t.co/G0U627iWNg

— Ameet (@PeacEndurance) August 6, 2021

@mirabai_chanu such a kind hearted person you are. Inspiration❤️ https://t.co/XGMvdYvkoD

— Anubhav Kumar (@anubhavkumar07) August 6, 2021

🙏🙏🙏🙏. Mirabhai u did not forget anyone including those who were part of your journey in life. A big heart touching gesture from you. God blessings remain to you and u will be inspiration for many not only in sports but humanity too.🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️

— Pavan Amarnath (@pavanamar554) August 6, 2021