New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mirabai Chanu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words of encouragement during his interaction with India’s Glasgow 2026 medallists will motivate her to work harder in future competitions, as she reflected on the emotional journey behind her triumphant return to the top of the podium.

“Thank you Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for your constant support and motivation in our journey. Your words of encouragement to each and every medalist during our precious interaction yesterday will definitely motivate us to work hard in our next competitions,” Chanu posted on X after meeting PM Narendra Modi.

At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Chanu won a gold medal in the women's 48kg weightlifting event, but stated that the achievement had an emotional significance which extended well beyond the medal. The athlete from Manipur remembered the injuries, family difficulties and the disappointment of not securing a medal at the Paris Olympics that she had suffered over the past four years.

When speaking to Chanu, Modi recognized the emotions that had prompted her victory and complimented the importance of her tears following the medal ceremony.

“You have made everyone proud. So many tears were falling. I feel like a gold medal is falling from every drop of tears,” PM Modi told Chanu.

The woman, who was 32 at the time, stated that she had been absolutely overwhelmed with joy upon finally getting back to the top of the podium, though the moment also reminded her of the disappointment she had felt in Paris.

“I was very happy and emotional on that day. I was very happy. And I cried because I lost my medal in the Paris Olympics. And a player has to face so many things in life, and I faced so many things in these 4 years,” Chanu said.

The road to her Glasgow triumph was particularly difficult, with Chanu revealing that injuries had repeatedly disrupted her career while she was also dealing with problems within her family.

“I was prone to injuries all the time. And I was facing family problems as well. The last four years were very difficult,” she added.

The fact that she had gone through those difficulties meant that the moment when she reached the podium in Glasgow was all the more significant. She stated that she was unable to refrain from crying when the Indian flag was raised and the national anthem played after she had won the gold medal.

“When I was standing on the podium, and when our flag was raised, and when our national anthem was played, I couldn’t stop myself from crying,” she said.

The fact that Chanu won in Glasgow represented a major comeback to the top rank at the Commonwealth Games following a tough four-year span. The gold medal was achieved despite the physical problems she had to cope with and the letdown of not securing a medal at the Paris Olympics.

On Sunday, Modi received at his home on Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi the medallists from India's Commonwealth Games 2026 after their successful performance in Glasgow.

India came fourth in the overall medal ranking with 39 medals -13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze—even though it had taken part in a curtailed programme that omitted several sports in which the country has normally done well.

--IANS

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