Indian weightlifting sensation and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist, Mirabai Chanu, is setting her sights on redemption at the upcoming Paris Olympics after overcoming multiple injury setbacks, including a recent thigh injury that dashed her hopes of competing in the Asian Games.
The setback in 2023 marked the second consecutive instance of injury disrupting Chanu’s aspirations for an Asian Games medal, following a similar incident in the 2018 Jakarta edition. However, undeterred by the challenges, Mirabai Chanu is determined to secure her second Olympic medal and overcome the agonies of past injuries.”In 2018 and again in 2023, injuries deprived me of major medals, which was mentally devastating. But I’m now mentally prepared to face the challenges and focus solely on winning a medal at the Paris Olympics,” Chanu expressed during an interview.
Should Mirabai Chanu succeed in her quest, she will join the ranks of iconic Indian athletes such as wrestler Sushil Kumar and badminton player PV Sindhu as one of the few to secure medals at consecutive Olympics in individual events.
Despite facing a grueling rehabilitation period after her thigh injury, Mirabai Chanu returned to competition and secured her qualification for the Paris Olympics by meeting the International Weightlifting Federation’s stringent criteria. Currently ranked 3rd in the Olympic Qualification Rankings, Mirabai Chanu is determined to peak at the right moment for the Games.
Reflecting on her performance at the IWF World Cup, where she secured a podium finish, Mirbai Chanu emphasized the importance of assessing her fitness levels and addressing any shortcomings in preparation for the Olympics.With her sights set on Paris, Mirabai Chanu remains focused on reaching her peak form and is confident in her abilities to compete against tough opponents, particularly Chinese lifters.
Looking beyond Paris Olympics 2024, Mirabai Chanu hopes to stay injury-free and continue her training regimen, leaving the possibility of competing in future Olympics open. However, for now, her primary focus remains on improving her Olympic medal color in Paris.
