Mirabai Chanu had won a silver medal at the World Weightlifting Championships 2022 in Bogota.
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Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu claimed the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award for the second year in a row. The award was initiated by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 2019 and is now in its fourth year. The award celebrates Indian female athletes and recognizes their successes in various sports over the past year. A panel of prominent sports journalists and experts vote to choose the nominees. The winner is then decided through public voting.
The award ceremony took place on Sunday, with Mirabai Chanu being announced as the winner. She was nominated alongside other accomplished Indian athletes such as shuttler PV Sindhu, wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, and boxer Nikhat Zareen. Mirabai Chanu had won a silver medal at the World Weightlifting Championships 2022 in Bogota. In addition, she clinched her second gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Mirabai Chanu is a former world champion weightlifter and has made India proud with her numerous achievements in the sport. Her consistent performances and hard work have earned her widespread recognition and admiration.
Another athlete who was recognized at the award ceremony was Nitu Ghanghas, who won the gold medal in the women’s minimum-weight category at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. Nitu was among the youngest gold medalists for India in Birmingham 2022. She was awarded the BBC Emerging Player of the Year award, which is given to upcoming players who show promise and potential. The Lifetime Achievement award was given to former hockey player Pritam Rani Siwach, who was part of the Indian women’s hockey team that clinched the silver medal at the 1998 Asian Games and the gold at the Commonwealth Games 2002. She was recognized for her contributions to the sport and for inspiring future generations of athletes.
This year, a new category was added to the awards ceremony which is the Indian Para-sportswoman of the Year award. The award was given to table tennis player Bhavina Patel, who won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham and a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. She was recognized for her exceptional performance and for overcoming obstacles to achieve her goals.
Indian Sportswoman of the Year – Mirabai Chanu, Sport – Weightlifting
Emerging Player of the Year – Nitu Ghanghas, Sport – Boxing
Lifetime Achievement – Pritam Rani Siwach, Sport – Field Hockey
Indian Para-sportswoman of the Year – Bhavina Patel, Sport – Table Tennis
Read more: BBC gets broadcast rights for UK Athletics Championships and Diamond League London
