Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu narrowly missed out on a medal in the women’s 49kg category at the Paris Olympics. Chanu, who had high hopes of clinching her second consecutive Olympic medal, finished in fourth place despite a commendable effort.
Strong Start in Snatch Round
In the snatch round, Mirabai Chanu achieved a best lift of 88kg (also her Personal Best), positioning her in the bronze medal spot going into the clean and jerk rounds.
She was closely trailing Romania’s Valentina Cambei, who led with a 93kg lift, and China’s Hou Zhihui, who lifted 89kg. Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao also lifted 88kg but was ranked higher due to her higher initial lift compared to Chanu’s.
Clean and Jerk Round
During the clean and jerk, Mirabai Chanu managed a best lift of 111kg. Despite her strong performance, it was not enough to secure a podium finish, and she ended up in fourth place overall.
Stats from Women’s 49kg Round
- China’s Zhihui attempted a lift of 117kg in her final attempt.
- She successfully lifted 117kg, securing the gold medal.
- Zhihui’s total lift of 206kg set a new Olympic record.
- Romania’s Valentina Cambei won the silver medal with a total lift of 205kg.
- Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao earned the bronze medal with a total lift of 200kg.
- Mirabai Chanu finished in fourth place with a total lift of 199kg.
Aiming for History: Mirabai Chanu
Competing in her third Olympics, this event was a significant opportunity for Mirabai Chanu to add another Olympic medal to her collection, following her silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Her goal was to join the ranks of Indian athletes like PV Sindhu and Sushil Kumar, who have won multiple individual Olympic medals.
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment, Mirabai Chanu’s performance at the Paris Olympics was a testament to her skill and determination. Her journey continues to inspire many, and she remains a prominent figure in Indian weightlifting.
