Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, is all set to spearhead the Indian challenge at the upcoming Asian Championships. However, the two-time Commonwealth Games champion is unlikely to attempt the much-awaited 90kg snatch lift at the competition.
Chanu had won silver in her last outing at the World Championship in December with an overall effort of 200kg (87kg +113kg), which was far from her personal best of 207kg (88kg+119kg). This time too, the former world champion 49kg lifter is not expected to test her limits.
The Asian Championships will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 5 to May 9, and will see participation from some of the top weightlifters in the continent. Chanu will be competing in the 49kg category.
Chanu has been in fine form in the recent past, having won gold at the Commonwealth Championships in September 2021 with a total lift of 196kg (85kg+111kg). She had earlier won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 with a record-breaking lift of 196kg (86kg+110kg).
Chanu’s performance at the Tokyo Olympics was commendable, as she lifted a total of 202kg (87kg+115kg) to win the silver medal. She had missed out on a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics due to a back injury, but bounced back strongly to win the silver in Tokyo.
Chanu’s success at the international level has been an inspiration for many young weightlifters in India. She has also been vocal about the need for better training facilities and support for athletes in the country.
In a recent interview, Chanu had stated that her focus was on winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She had also expressed her desire to attempt the 90kg snatch lift in the future, which has been a long-standing goal for her.
While Chanu may not attempt the 90kg snatch lift at the Asian Championships, her performance will be keenly watched by fans and experts alike. The competition will be a good opportunity for her to gauge her form and make any necessary adjustments ahead of the upcoming events.
The Asian Championships will also see participation from other top Indian weightlifters, including S. Mirabai Chanu, Ragala Venkat Rahul, and Jhilli Dalabehera. The competition will be a good platform for the Indian lifters to test themselves against some of the best in the continent.
Overall, the Indian weightlifting team has been making steady progress in recent years, and the performances of Chanu and other top lifters have raised hopes of more success in the future. With better training facilities and support from the government and other stakeholders, Indian weightlifters could make a mark at the international level in the coming years.
