Mirabai Chanu's Strategic Weight Management Ahead of Major Competitions
Mirabai Chanu's Weightlifting Strategy
Raipur, March 26: Renowned Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has shared her tactical plan for managing weight categories in preparation for significant international competitions. She intends to stay within the 48kg weight class for the Commonwealth Games but will transition to the 49kg category shortly after, as the Asian Games are set to occur within two months.
For over ten years, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has represented Indian weightlifting on the global stage. Her accolades include a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, three medals from World Championships, and three podium finishes at the Commonwealth Games. However, one goal remains unachieved: securing a medal at the Asian Games.
Mirabai first participated in the Asian Games at 19, finishing ninth in the 2014 event held in Incheon. She had to withdraw from the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta due to a back injury that hindered her training.
Her closest attempt at winning a medal was during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where a hip injury prevented her from achieving a podium finish, sidelining her for nearly five months.
At 31, she made a remarkable comeback, qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she narrowly missed out on a second Olympic medal. Since then, her focus has been on breaking her Asian Games medal drought.
“The Asian Games hold significant personal importance for me as I have unfinished business there. The competition is intense, making it both challenging and thrilling,” Mirabai expressed at a press conference after the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 opening ceremony in Raipur.
One of her main challenges has been adapting to the new weight categories. While she has primarily competed in the 49kg division, she must now navigate between categories due to changes implemented by the International Weightlifting Federation.
Consequently, she will compete in the 48kg category at the Commonwealth Games, scheduled from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, before reverting to 49kg for her next attempt at an Asian Games medal in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
"I will maintain my weight within 48kg until the Commonwealth Games, but with the Asian Games following shortly after, I will need to switch back to 49kg,” Mirabai noted.
She kicked off her 2026 season impressively at the National Weightlifting Championships in February, where she set three new national records in the women’s 48kg category.
During the Nationals, Mirabai lifted 89kg in the snatch, her best performance despite competing in a lower weight class. She also achieved a successful lift of 116kg in clean and jerk, setting a national record for the women’s 48kg category, bringing her total to 205kg and earning the gold medal.
This total also matched her personal best of 205kg in the 49kg category, which she had previously achieved at the Asian Weightlifting Championships five years ago.
Mirabai, who regards her gold medal from the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships as even more significant than her Olympic silver from Tokyo 2020, praised the launch of the Khelo India Tribal Games, calling it a vital platform for athletes from remote areas.
“This is a proud moment for me as an athlete to witness the government prioritizing various sports initiatives like the Khelo India Tribal Games. The KIBG will provide a platform for athletes from remote regions to showcase their talents. I have seen many instances across the country, especially from the North-East and other tribal areas, where potential exists but has not been realized due to a lack of opportunities like the KITG,” she stated.
She also emphasized the importance of the National Centres of Excellence and Khelo India State Centres of Excellence in nurturing elite athletes and developing future talent.
“The NCOEs and Khelo India State Centres of Excellence have played a crucial role in offering world-class training facilities that help elite athletes maintain peak performance. Numerous young athletes are training in these centers, preparing for global competitions, and with consistent coaching, nutrition, and training environments, these centers are enhancing the sporting ecosystem,” she concluded.