Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won’t lift at World Championships but will attend weigh-in to remain eligible for Paris Olympics | Sport-others News
In her quest for the elusive Asian Games medal, Tokyo Olympics silver medall Mirabai Chanu will not be lifting at the World Championships next week as a precautionary measure. Instead, the 2017 world champion will simply mark her attendance at the big-ticket event attending the weigh-in for the 49kg weight class.
Participation in the World Championships, which begin in Riyadh on September 4, is mandatory to be eligible for next year’s Paris Olympics. However, according to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) rules, athletes need not necessarily attempt a lift at the tournament. Instead, they can take part in the weigh-in and make themselves available for the doping tests.
Chanu, according to those in the know, has chosen that option. As per the entry ls, the Indian lifter weathers in Group D and her entry weight is set at only 60kg. “She will not be lifting at the World Championships. Right now, the focus is to keep her fresh and fit for the Asian Games,” an Indian Weightlifting Federation official said.
Chanu, who had also skipped the Commonwealth Championships, has been grappling with injuries and niggles, and returned to competition last May after a gap of five months when she was undergoing a rehabilitation programme following hip surgery last December.Most Read
1
World Athletics Championships 2023 Highlights: Neeraj Chopra wins gold; Relay runners finish 5th; Parul Chaudhary scripts national record
2
Gadar 2 box office collection day 17: Sunny Deol film beats Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, becomes the fastest film to cross Rs 450 crore mark
See More
Back in May, she finished sixth at the Asian Championships and after the competition, she travelled to St. Louis, USA, to continue her rehab.
While participation at the World Championships is mandatory for weightlifters, not attempting a lift will not hurt Chanu’s Paris Olympic prospects. As per the IWF’s Paris Olympic qualification ranking, the Indian sits comfortably in second position.
The Asian Games, though, have been high on her priority ls since that’s the only major event where she hasn’t won a medal.
