Asian Games 2023: Mirabai Chanu is looking to rewrite history at the Asian Games. The Olympic silver medallist is aiming to become India’s first-ever weightlifter to win a gold medal in the continental event. The rescheduled Asian Games is all set to get underway in Huangzhu, China on September 23.
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Only Asian Games Gold medal missing from her cabinet
29-year old Mirabai Chanu will headline India’s four-member Weighlifting squad at the Asian Games 2023. She will be competing in the 49-kg category. She missed the last edition of the Asian Games due to an injury.
In a stellar career, apart from an Olympic silver medal, she is a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist. She has also won the World Championship gold medal in 2017 and also has three gold medals in the Commonwealth Championships. Only an Asian Games medal is missing from her cabinet.
Speaking to Times of India about the upcoming Asian Games, she said, “Whenever I sit alone, I see my results, what I have achieved and what is left. Then I talk to myself, I don’t have an Asian Games medal.”
While Mirabai aims for gold in the Asian Games, she also has her eyes on the World Championships. The Wrestling World Championship will precede the Asian Games as it will be held from 16th to 25th September.
Mirabai Chanu also aims to breach 90kg mark in snatch
While her focus remains on winning medals in both the events, she also wants to breach the 90kg mark in snatch. “At times, I am angry with myself. My aim is 90kg (in snatch. I do get irritated and feel the pressure of why I am not able to do it,” said Mirabai, who holds the world record for clean and jerk. She achieved the feat at the 202 Asian Games with a lift of 119 kg.
“Coach Vijay Varma also says I have to achieve it in this competition or that one. But then I relax and focus on the technique. That thought relaxes me when I get back to training,” she added.
With two back-to-back high profile events lined-up all eyes will be on Mirabai Chanu. She has been training at the SQUAT University on Saint Louis, USA ahead of the big-ticket events. Apart from Mirabai, Bindyarani Devi will feature in the Asian Games in the 55kg category. Meanwhile, Achinta Sheuli and N Ajith will feature in the Men’s 73 kg category.
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