Manipur, July 24: Weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, one of India's most celebrated athletes, is set to represent the country as the sole weightlifter at the Paris Olympic Games. Having already made history at the Tokyo Olympics, where she won a silver medal in the 49 kg weight class, Mirabai is aiming for back-to-back Olympic success, a feat achieved by only a few Indian athletes.
Hailing from Nongpok Kakching in the Imphal East district of Manipur, the 29-year-old has been a lone ranger for India in weightlifting at major international competitions. Her journey in Tokyo saw her become the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal, following Karnam Malleswari's historic win in 2000. Now, Mirabai hopes to join shuttler PV Sindhu as the second Indian woman to win medals in consecutive Olympic Games.
Mirabai's path to another podium finish in Paris is challenging, particularly in the highly competitive women's 49kg category. China's Hou Zhihui, the reigning Olympic champion, leads the pack with a total lift of 200 kg. Hou secured her spot for Paris in dramatic fashion, overtaking her teammate Jiang Huihua at the final qualifying event, the 2024 IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand. Mirabai, who excels in the clean and jerk discipline, holds a personal best of 203 kg and once set the World Record with a 119 kg lift. To contend for a medal, she will need a strong performance in both the snatch and clean and jerk categories.
However, Mirabai's journey to Paris has been hampered by injuries, including a hip injury sustained at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. This injury sidelined her for five months, impacting her training and competition schedule. Despite this setback, she qualified for the Paris Olympics with a 12th-place finish at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, lifting a total of 184 kg.
Currently, Mirabai is training at the prestigious La Ferte-Milon in France, under the guidance of her American physio Dr. Aron Horschig. Chief national coach Vijay Sharma is also with her, strategising for her Olympic campaign. The weightlifting events in Paris are set to begin on August 7, and all eyes will be on Mirabai as she aims to secure a medal in her third consecutive Olympics.
Mirabai Chanu's story is one of resilience and determination, and her quest for Olympic glory continues to inspire millions. As she prepares for the biggest stage, the hopes of 1.3 billion Indians rest on her capable shoulders.
