Prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics, her biggest achievement came in 2017, when she won the gold medal at World Weightlifting Championships held in Anaheim, California.

[4] Saikhom Mirabai Chanu was born on 8 August 1994 in Nongpok Kakching[5] about 30 km away from Imphal city, Manipur[6] to a Meitei family, a warrior clan of that region.

After winning the Olympic medal, she invited the truck drivers to offer her gratitude and touched their feet as a sign of respect.

[10] Chanu's first major breakthrough came at the Glasgow edition of the Commonwealth Games; she won the silver medal in the 48 kg weight category.

[15] En route to the medal, she broke the game's record for her weight category; the effort also marked her personal best performance.

[2] In June 2021, Chanu became the only Indian woman weightlifter to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics[19] by securing a second position on the Absolute Rankings for the 49 kg category.

Aftermath of Tokyo Olympic Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced an award of ₹1 crore for her.

For winning the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics - Mei Iklaba Thamoi is a Meitei language Shumang Kumhei play based on the life of Mirabai Chanu, directed by Shougrakpam Hemanta, released on 19 September 2021.