Mirabai, Indian lifters aim at improving Olympic qualification ranking at Asian Championships
The Asian Championships are just around the corner and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu will once again spearhead the Indian challenge. Chanu recently won a silver medal in the World Championship with an overall effort of 200kg (87kg +113kg). However, her personal best is 207kg (88kg+119kg) and she is unlikely to test her limits in this competition. The Indian weightlifting team is aiming to improve their Olympic qualification ranking at the Asian Championships.
Mirabai Chanu’s back issue affects her snatch lift, and she has been attempting to breach the 90kg mark since 2020. However, with the Olympics still a year away and the Asian Games scheduled for September, Chanu wants to peak at the right time. According to head coach Vijay Sharma, Chanu will only lift the weights that she can easily get, i.e. 85kg (snatch) and 110kg (clean and jerk).
Mirabai Chanu’s Olympic hopes
Chanu’s back issue has been affecting her snatch lift, and she has been trying to breach the 90kg mark since 2020. With Olympics scheduled a year away, Chanu wants to peak at the right time. At the Asian Championships, Chanu will only lift the weights that she can easily get.
Indian lifters target podium finishes and Olympic qualification points
Apart from Chanu, Jeremy Lalrinnunga (67kg) and Achinta Sheuli (73kg) will also compete in the event since winning gold at the Commonwealth Games last August. While Jeremy was nursing a thigh injury, Achinta had to withdraw from the World Championships in December at the last minute. The duo will aim to collect the required ranking points to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Indian team has high hopes for young lifters
Reigning national champions Shubham Todkar (61kg) and Narayana Ajith will be making their international debuts. The Asian Championship is a qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where weightlifting events will be cut from 14 at the Tokyo Games to 10. Under the new Olympic qualification rule, a lifter has to compulsorily participate in the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 World Cup, as well as three other events.
Aim to improve Olympic qualification ranking
The Indian weightlifting team is looking to improve their Olympic qualification ranking at the Asian Championships. In the latest Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR), Chanu is in the second spot behind Huihua. She will renew her rivalry with the Chinese duo of Jiang Huihua and Hou Zhihui, who have the highest entry weights of 205kg each. Zhihui is the reigning Olympic champion. Chanu, on the other hand, has the second highest entry weight, along with two other lifters.
Conclusion
The Indian lifters have high hopes for the Asian Championships, which is a qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Mirabai Chanu will spearhead the Indian team and aim to improve her Olympic qualification ranking. Apart from her, young lifters like Jeremy Lalrinnunga, Achinta Sheuli, Shubham Todkar, and Narayana Ajith will also compete in the event, hoping to gain valuable ranking points. The Indian team is optimistic and hopes to bring back coveted medals from the Asian Championships.