Sydney Olympics bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari believes Mirabai Chanu's silver in the recent Tokyo Games is "like oxygen" for Indian weightlifting and it will inspire youngsters to take up the sport. (More Sports News)
Malleswari, who had won a weightlifting bronze in the 2000 Olympics, also said that sports culture will grow in the country after India's best-ever show in the Tokyo Games.
“After 20 years, Mirabai (Chanu’s) medal has come, so it is doing work like oxygen for us. I think in the future, because of this medal, many children have got motivation and in future more medals will come,” Malleswari told reporters after inaugurating ‘The Knee Clinic’ in Mumbai.
Talking about India's performance in Tokyo Olympics, Malleswari said, "We have won seven medals. We have performed well and happiest thing is Neeraj Chopra, won the gold in athletics, where we even cannot think of a medal.
"Support is given by Indian government, SAI, Sports Ministry are playing their roles. Government supported Olympians to a large extent and they were given the best facilities and training and we saw its results," said the former weightlifter, who is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal.