Mirabai Chanu to Compete in New Weight Class for 2028 Olympics

Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is set to compete in the 53kg category for the 2028 Olympics, following the removal of the 49kg class. This change, prompted by the IOC's decision to expand weightlifting events, allows Chanu to focus on building muscle mass. She will continue competing in her current weight class until the Asian Games next year. With a successful track record, including a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and gold at the Commonwealth Championships, Chanu's transition marks a significant step in her Olympic journey. Discover more about her plans and the new weight categories for the upcoming Olympics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 4, 2025, 14:06 IST

Mirabai Chanu's Transition to 53kg Category

Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu will be moving up to the 53kg weight class for the 2028 Olympics, as her previous category has been eliminated. Chanu, who secured a silver medal in the 49kg category at the Tokyo Olympics, will now adapt to the new weight limit set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This change comes as the IOC has decided to expand the weightlifting events to a total of 12 for the upcoming Los Angeles Games.

Vijay Sharma, the chief national coach, believes that this transition will benefit Chanu, although she will maintain her current weight class until the Asian Games next year. "The removal of the 49kg category is advantageous for Mirabai, as cutting down to 48kg was quite demanding," Sharma stated.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced this decision, highlighting the IOC's commitment to enhancing the weightlifting program for the 2028 Olympics, which will feature six events for both men and women.

This marks the second adjustment in weight categories by the IWF within a year. Earlier, Chanu had shifted to the 48kg category after the 49kg division was removed from the Olympic roster. Although the 49kg class has been reinstated for IWF competitions like the World Championships, it will not be included in the Olympic events.

Chanu has already achieved notable success this year, winning gold at the Commonwealth Championships and a silver medal at the World Championships in the 48kg category. She will continue to compete in the 48kg/49kg class until the Asian Games, after which she will have a two-year period to gradually transition to the 53kg division in preparation for the Olympics.

Chanu has previously expressed the physical challenges of maintaining a weight of 48kg, and moving to a higher weight class will allow her to build more muscle mass. "She will stick to her current weight class until the Asian Games, and then we will initiate the process of moving to 53kg," Sharma added.

The updated Olympic weight categories for women now include 53kg, 61kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, and +86kg, while men will compete in 65kg, 75kg, 85kg, 95kg, 110kg, and +110kg classes. These categories are part of a revised set of 16 bodyweight categories established by the IWF.

The new weight categories will officially take effect on August 1, 2026. The IWF Technical Committee proposed these changes, which were provisionally approved by the IWF Executive Board during its recent meeting in Forde, Norway, coinciding with the 2025 IWF World Championships. The changes were finalized following ratification by the IWF Athletes Commission.

In the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, the women's weight categories will consist of 49kg, 59kg, 71kg, 81kg, and +81kg, while men will compete in 61kg, 73kg, 89kg, 102kg, and +102kg classes.