Triple Gold Winning Effort in the Women’s World Weightlifting Championships at Manchester in 2002-Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu

Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu - Indian Weightlifter

Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu is an Indian weightlifter born on February 1, 1975 in Imphal city, Manipur. She is one of the best weightlifters of the country and had won the Arjuna award in the year 2000. Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu made her presence felt in international weightlifting arena through power-packed medal-winning performances. Sanamacha Chanu played a key role in nurturing Manipur as a hub for women weightlifters.

A remarkable number of sporting champions have emerged from Manipur despite it being a tiny state. Among these success stories, Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu is one who played a key role in nurturing Manipur as a hub for women weightlifters. Through her power packed medal winning performances in the international weightlifting arena, she has inspired a generation of Indian sportswomen.

Sanamacha’s triple gold-winning effort in the Women’s World Weightlifting Championships at Manchester in 2002 sparked off a revolution in Indian women’s weightlifting. Unsurprisingly, her heroics have become a part of Manipur’s sporting folklore and inspired hundreds of her fellow Manipuris to take up the sport.

An inspector in the CRPF, Sanamacha’s first Olympic experience was in Sydney. She finished sixth in that edition of the Games. Her best performance was at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, where she won the gold medal in the 53-kg category. She was included in the contingent for the Athens Olympics on the strength of her showing in the World Weightlifting Championship, where she finished seventh.

Her major internationals accolades include: 3 Silver medal in 1996 World Weight-lifting Championship (Poland), 4th position in 1996 Asian World Weight-lifting Championship (Japan), 4th position in 1997 World Weight-lifting Championship (Thailand), 3 silver medals in 1998 World Weight-lifting Championship (Bulgaria), 3 gold medals in 1998 Commonwealth Weight-lifting Championship (Nauru), 3 silver medals in 1999 Asian Weight-lifting Championship (China), 3 gold medals in 2000 Asian Weight-lifting Championship (Japan), 4th position in 2000 Sydney Olympics (Australia), 3 gold medals in 2000 Commonwealth Games (England), 3 gold medals in 2003 Commonwealth Weight-lifting Championship (Tonga), 4th position in 2004 Athence Olympics and 4th position in 2007 Asian Weight-lifting Championship.

Sanamacha Chanu 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.