Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won’t lift at World Championships

SHWETA

Mirabai Chanu, the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist, is currently grappling with persisting discomfort. Following her triumphant return to competition in May, after undergoing hip surgery in December and sitting out the Commonwealth Championships, she has decided to skip the imminent World Weightlifting Championships. This strategic move is aimed at safeguarding her pursuit of the elusive Asian Games 2023 medal.

In the forthcoming high-profile event, Mirabai Chanu, the 2017 world champion, will attend solely for the weigh-in for the 49 kg weight class, signifying her presence without participating in the lifts. The competition, set to commence in Riyadh on September 4, is obligatory for Paris Olympics 2024 qualification. However, International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) regulations stipulate that competitors need not make lifting attempts. Instead, they can undergo weigh-ins and opt for doping tests.

Mirabai Chanu's entry into Group D places her with an initial weight of 60kg, yet she won't be engaging in any lifts at the World Championships. A representative from the Indian Weightlifting Federation emphasizes that her primary focus is on the upcoming Asian Games 2023.

Although not attempting a lift won't hinder her chances for the Paris Olympics, as she comfortably holds the second position in IWF's standings for Olympic qualification. However, she has placed a high importance on the Asian Games because it is the only major competition in which she hasn’t received a medal.