Olympic Silver Medallist Mirabai Chanu Wins 'BBC Indian Sportswoman Of Year Award For 2021'

Mirabai Chanu beat the other four nominees ace shuttler player PV Sindhu, golfer Aditi Ashok, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and Para-shooter Avani Lekhara to the award.

Mirabai Chanu (AFP)

New Delhi: Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu has won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award for 2021, PTI reported. In the Tokyo Olympics, the weightlifter finished second in the 49kg category to secure a silver medal at the Games.

Chanu beat the other four nominees ace shuttler player PV Sindhu, golfer Aditi Ashok, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and Para-shooter Avani Lekhara to the award.

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In her reaction to winning the award, Chanu said: "I am currently training in the United States. I will give my best to win gold at this year's Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Thank you to BBC India for honouring me with the BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year award."

.@Mirabai_chanu is #bbciswoty ! Congratulations to her!! #Changethegame pic.twitter.com/ssgaT2cGUl

— Vineet Khare विनीत खरे وینیت کھرے (@vineetkhare) March 28, 2022

18-year-old women cricketer Shefali Verma was awarded the BBC Emerging Player award. In 2021, she became the youngest Indian cricketer, female or male, to represent the national team in international cricket across formats.

Former weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics in 2000, was presented the BBC Lifetime Achievement award.

Tim Davie, BBC's Director General said: "It's wonderful to be here in Delhi in the BBC's centenary year, and to honour the talented Indian sportswomen who've achieved so much, often in the face of challenging circumstances."