India, Aug. 29 -- If true sportsmanship is about standing up stronger every time failure tries to pin you down, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has proved that will, grit and resilience are what truly make a champion. India's weightlifting star has clinched gold at the ongoing 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships. But did you know there was a time when the weight of self-expectations made her wonder if she should quit this strength-testing sport.

This happened after her unexpected innings at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Ahead of that competition, the Manipur girl was hailed as one of India's brightest medal hopes for good reason. At the national selection trials, she shattered a 12-year-old record held by Kunjarani Devi, lifting 85kg in snatch ...