Mirabai Chanu, the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist, won’t be lifting at the World Weightlifting Championships the coming week as a precaution in her pursuit of the elusive Asian Games 2023 medal.
The 2017 world champion Mirabai Chanu will just show up for the weigh-in for the 49 kg weight class to signify her attendance at the high-profile event.
It is mandatory to compete in the World Championships, which get underway in Riyadh on September 4, in order to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) regulations, however, state that competitors are not required to attempt a lift.
Instead, they can participate in the weigh-in and volunteer to be tested for doping.
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Mirabai Chanu chasing Asian Games 2023 gold
The Indian lifter belongs to Group D, according to the entrance lists, and her entry weight is only 60kg.
At the World Championships, Mirabai Chanu won’t be lifting. The Asian Games 2023 are currently the main priority, according to a representative of the Indian Weightlifting Federation.
Mirabai Chanu, who also sat out of the Commonwealth Championships, has been dealing with aches and pains. She last competed in May after a five-month hiatus as she underwent rehabilitation after hip surgery in December.
She placed sixth in the Asian Championships back in May, and following the event, she traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, in order to continue her rehabilitation.
Weightlifters must compete in the World Championships, although Chanu’s chances of competing in the Olympics in Paris are unaffected if she does not attempt a lift. The Indian is comfortably in second place according to the IWF’s standings for Paris 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.
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