India’s weightlifting star, Mirabai Chanu, shared her strategy for managing weight categories in major international events. She aims to stay in the 48kg category for the Commonwealth Games but will transition to the 49kg category for the Asian Games that follow shortly after.
Mirabai Chanu has been a prominent figure in Indian weightlifting for over a decade, boasting achievements like a silver at the Tokyo Olympics, multiple World Championship medals, and podium finishes at the Commonwealth Games. However, she is yet to secure a medal at the Asian Games.
Despite a successful career, Mirabai faced setbacks at the Asian Games, including a ninth-place finish in 2014 and a forced withdrawal in 2018 due to a back injury. Her closest shot at a medal was at the 2022 Asian Games, where a hip injury hindered her performance.
Mirabai’s focus now lies on ending her Asian Games medal drought after narrowly missing out on a second Olympic medal in Paris. She expressed the importance of the Asian Games personally, highlighting the high competition level that adds to the challenge and excitement.
The weight category adjustment poses a significant challenge for Mirabai, who will compete in the 48kg division at the 2026 Commonwealth Games before shifting back to 49kg for the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. She kicked off her 2026 season impressively at the National Weightlifting Championships, setting new national records in the 48kg category.
Mirabai Chanu considers her gold at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships more special than her Olympic silver. She commended the launch of the Khelo India Tribal Games, emphasizing its role as a platform for athletes from remote areas to showcase their talent. Additionally, she acknowledged the support provided by National Centres of Excellence and Khelo India State Centres of Excellence in nurturing elite athletes and upcoming talent.
