Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu all but qualifies for Paris Olympics after good World Cup performance
The Paris Olympics will be her third appearance at the quadrennial event
image for illustrative purpose
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has all but qualified for the Paris Olympics, which will be her third appearance in the prestigious quadrennial event. Chanu finished third in the ongoing IWF World Cup in Thailand, all but secure the qualification for the Olympics.
Competing in the women’s 49kg Group B event, Chanu lifted a total of 184 kg (81 kg snatch and 103 kg clean and jerk) to finish third in the group.
The World Cup is the Indian lifter’s first tournament after recovering from an injury that saw her out of action for almost six months. She suffered a hip tendonitis injury during the Asian Games, which saw her spend time in rehabilitation and on the sidelines.
Chanu did look rusty during the entire course of her event but was able to record five clean lifts. She lifted 81 kg in snatch, much less than her personal best of 88 kg, but in clean and jerk, Chanu could only muster 103 kg, which was way below her personal best of 119 kg.
Chanu is now ranked second in the 49kg Olympic Qualification Ranking, only behind China’s Jian Hui Hua. The top-10 weightlifters from each weight class will qualify for the Olympics, and the official announcement will come at the end of the World Cup, when the Olympic Qualification Rankings are updated.
The 29-year-old will be the only Indian weightlifter in action at the Paris Olympics.
The IWF World Cup is the last and mandatory qualifier for the Paris Olympics. Chanu has also fulfilled the criteria to participate in the Olympics after she has taken part in two compulsory events and three qualifiers so far.
