Mirabai Chanu stands as India’s sole representative in weightlifting at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist is set to compete in her favoured women’s 49kg category, aiming to upgrade her medal’s colour from the previous Games.
Journey of Triumphs and Trials for Mirabai Chanu
Since her historic silver medal at Tokyo 2020, Mirabai Chanu has experienced a mix of highs and lows. She claimed gold at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham and silver at the 2022 IWF World Championships. However, her competitive appearances have been limited due to injuries, participating in only three events since her Tokyo triumph.
Mirabai Chanu’s 2023 season has been particularly challenging. She placed sixth at the Asian Championships and fourth at the Asian Games, where a hip injury sidelined her for five months. Her only competition this year, the IWF World Cup in Qatar, saw her finish 12th with a total lift of 184kg, far below her personal best of 205kg.
Paris Olympics 2024 Field: Fierce Competitors
Mirabai Chanu will face a formidable line-up in Paris. Her key rivals include:
Hou Zhihui (China)
- Tokyo 2020 gold medallist
- Personal best: 217kg (97kg snatch, 120kg clean and jerk)
Surodchana Khambao (Thailand)
- Former world champion
- Personal best: 200kg (90kg snatch, 110kg clean and jerk)
- Season best: 194kg
Mihaela Valentina Cambei (Romania)
- Personal best: 199kg (92kg snatch, 109kg clean and jerk)
- Season best: 199kg
Jourdan Delacruz (USA)
- Former Pan American champion
- Personal best: 200kg (89kg snatch, 112kg clean and jerk)
- Season best: Not specified
Mirabai Chanu’s Prospects: Uphill Battle
Despite her challenges, Mirabai Chanu remains a strong contender. Her clean and jerk is her forte, and she will look to compensate for any deficits in the snatch with powerful lifts in the clean and jerk.
With a personal best of 205kg, she has the second-highest overall lift among her competitors, giving her a fighting chance for a medal.
Preparations and Final Push
Mirabai Chanu’s preparation for Paris has been intense. Despite her injury setbacks, her coach, Vijay Sharma, has confirmed that she is now pain-free and training well. If the competition total hovers around 202-205kg, Chanu could very well find herself on the podium once again.
Can Mirabai Chanu win a medal?
Mirabai Chanu’s journey to Paris 2024 has been marked by resilience and determination. While her path to a medal will be challenging, her experience and skill in big events position her as a strong contender. As she steps onto the platform at the South Paris Arena on August 7, the hopes of a nation will be behind her, cheering for another historic performance.
Mirabai Chanu: Paris 2024 Olympics weightlifting schedule
| Date | Event | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 7, Wednesday | Women’s 49kg | 11:00 PM | South Paris Arena 6 |
