Despite wrist injury, Mirabai wins gold with ease in 49kg category

Mirabai Chanu, as is her wont, waited for all her rivals to finish before stepping on the stage. Then, typical of her style once again — especially in events where there are no Chinese lifters — the Olympic medallist required just a couple of lifts to win the gold.

It was a foregone conclusion that Chanu would win the gold medal in the 49kg category at the National Games. It was barely a surprise that she’d do it with utmost ease — the weightlifter didn’t even need to use all three attempts snatch and clean and jerk segments to settle the affair; Chanu needed just two in each of them.

It was a foregone conclusion that Chanu would win the gold medal in the 49kg category at the National Games. It was barely a surprise that she’d do it with utmost ease.

It was a foregone conclusion that Chanu would win the gold medal in the 49kg category at the National Games. It was barely a surprise that she’d do it with utmost ease.That, however, was not just because of the daylight between her and the rest of the Indian lifters. More than going for a record or a medal, Chanu was merely protecting herself.

A month ago, the lifter hurt her left wrist during training. The injury aggravated last week and also she played down any concerns of it getting worse, Chanu said she did not want to take any chance by lifting heavy weights or taking any unnecessary risks at the National Games.

“For one month, there’s a slight problem I am having in my wrist,” she said, pointing at her left wrist. “The MRI (scans) showed there was an injury because of load. So, to ensure the pain doesn’t get more I did two lifts because the main thing is World Championship.” Indeed, for Chanu, the 2017 world champion, the World Championship that will be held in the Colombian capital city Bogota from December 5 to 16 is the main thing this year.

Not only because of the bragging rights but also because it is the first step toward qualifying for the Paris Olympics in 2024.Mirabai Chanu, as is her wont, waited for all her rivals to finish before stepping on the stage. Then, typical of her style once again — especially in events where there are no Chinese lifters — the Olympic medallist required just a couple of lifts to win the gold. It was a foregone conclusion that Chanu would win the gold medal in the 49kg category at the National Games. It was barely a surprise that she’d do it with utmost ease — the weightlifter didn’t even need to use all three attempts snatch and clean and jerk segments to settle the affair; Chanu needed just two in each of them. It was a foregone conclusion that Chanu would win the gold medal in the 49kg category at the National Games. It was barely a surprise that she’d do it with utmost ease.That, however, was not just because of the daylight between her and the rest of the Indian lifters. More than going for a record or a medal, Chanu was merely protecting herself. A month ago, the lifter hurt her left wrist during training. The injury aggravated last week and also she played down any concerns of it getting worse, Chanu said she did not want to take any chance by lifting heavy weights or taking any unnecessary risks at the National Games. “For one month, there’s a slight problem I am having in my wrist,” she said, pointing at her left wrist. “The MRI (scans) showed there was an injury because of load. So, to ensure the pain doesn’t get more I did two lifts because the main thing is World Championship.” Indeed, for Chanu, the 2017 world champion, the World Championship that will be held in the Colombian capital city Bogota from December 5 to 16 is the main thing this year. Not only because of the bragging rights but also because it is the first step toward qualifying for the Paris Olympics in 2024. The International Weightlifting Federation’s qualifying criteria are such that all lifters have to compete in the 2023 World Championship and 2024 World Cup. The world body has lifted five other tournaments between December 2022 and April 2024 of which athletes must compete in any three — this year’s Worlds features in that list.

The International Weightlifting Federation’s qualifying criteria are such that all lifters have to compete in the 2023 World Championship and 2024 World Cup. The world body has lifted five other tournaments between December 2022 and April 2024 of which athletes must compete in any three — this year’s Worlds features in that list.