Mirabai Chanu's Road To Paris 2024: Ace Weightlifter's Quest For Second Olympic Glory

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Following her silver at Tokyo 2020, legendary weightlifter Mirabai Chanu's focus for Paris 2024 is on staying injury-free and refining her technique. "Competition in the 49 kg division is going to be very tough this time," she says, emphasizing the importance of these factors.

In an exclusive interview with SAI Media at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala, Mirabai (29) shared her strategy leading up to the Paris Games.

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu's Route to Paris Olympics

Her preparation will involve meticulous muscle management and aiming to lift at least 90 kg in the snatch. With a personal best of 88 kg in the snatch, achieved at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, she is inching closer to her goal.

Paris 2024 will mark the Manipuri athlete’s third Olympic appearance. After a disappointing debut at Rio 2016, she rebounded with a string of successes, including becoming a world champion in 2017 and setting a world record in the clean and jerk at the 2020 Asian Championships. However, her journey has been marred by injuries, particularly a hip injury at the Hangzhou Asian Games, which sidelined her for five months.

Despite these setbacks, Mirabai remains undeterred. She has been selective with her competitions this year, participating only in the World Cup, where her performance was sufficient to secure her a spot in Paris.

As she prepares for the Games, Mirabai stresses the importance of injury management and staying stress-free. "Injuries and pain are companions for us," she says, underscoring the mental and physical challenges of weightlifting.

Mirabai and her team will head to Le Ferte-Milon, France, in early July to acclimatise ahead of the Games. Her training regimen in Patiala involves rigorous gym exercises to ensure every muscle is in peak condition. She emphasises the need for consistent training, noting that skipping a single day can set her back significantly.

Determined to add another Olympic medal to her collection, Mirabai views her injuries as a source of motivation. "Injuries make me determined to come back stronger for India," she says. As she looks forward to Paris 2024, she is counting on the support of her country and the hope that her best efforts will pay off.