Sanamacha Chanu, weightlifter from the tiny state of Manipur makes her presence felt with power-packed medal-winning performances

Women weightlifters from Manipur don’t just make up the numbers in India’s weightlifting squad, they make their presence felt with power-packed medal-winning performances. Sanamacha Chanu is one among them – A strong pillar behind Manipur’s weightlifting heritage.

Manipur has a formidable legacy is weightlifting. Lifters, especially women, from this tiny state make their presence felt in the international arena with power-packed performances. Sanamacha Chanu is a name synonymous with the legacy of Manipur. She is one of the most successful weightlifters of the country and has made India proud in many international competitions. She has been bestowed with the Arjuna Award in 2000 for her contributions in weightlifting to the country.

sanamacha chanu

In 2002, Sanamacha Chanu scooped up three gold medals in the women’s 53-kg at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, on par with the exploits of Kunjarani in that edition medal-wise. Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu also competed in the women's 53 kg category weightlifting competition on August 15, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Nikaia Olympic Weightlifting Hall in Athens, Greece. She had also been included in the national contingent for the Busan Asian Games, but could not participate because of an injury.

Sanamacha Chanu became a member of the Central Reserve Police Force in 1996. She set foot in the world wrestling championship after that. She had been a national champion for eleven times in her career. She has also set national records for five times and was also the best weightlifter of the country for three times. Chanu had also been All India Police Meet Champion for five times. She had also participated in the World Weightlifting Police Meet and World Power Lifting Police Meet in 1999. She became a champion in the world wrestling championship and set record in the 53-kilogram weight category. She also won three gold medals in the Commonwealth Games held in Tonga region. She retired from international games in 2007. Currently she is working as the coach of central weight lifting team.