Now or Never: Mirabai Chanu’s Shot At Asian Games Redemption In Aichi-Nagoya

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For over a decade, Mirabai Saikhom Chanu has carried the burden of Indian weightlifting on her shoulders with unmatched consistency. World titles, Olympic silver, and national honours, she has achieved almost everything. Yet, one medal continues to stay out of reach. The Asian Games.

At 31, Mirabai is not slowing down. Instead, she is sharpening her focus on what she calls her "unfinished business".

Her journey at the Asian Games has been anything but smooth. As a teenager, she finished ninth on debut in 2014 at Incheon, South Korea. Four years later, injury forced her out completely at Jakarta Palembang 2018 Asian Games. In 2023 (Hangzhou 2022, China), the Manipur athlete came closest, but a hip injury at the worst possible moment ended her campaign just when a podium finish seemed within reach.

That injury kept her away from competition for months. But if there is one thing that defines Mirabai, it is her ability to come back stronger. She returned, qualified for the Paris Olympics, and pushed through pain to compete at the highest level, missing a medal by just one kilogram.

Looking ahead, her focus is crystal clear. The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) is not just another event, it is the missing piece in her legacy. Japan has happy memories for the 4.9 feet tall weightlifter for she bagged an Olympic silver in Tokyo 2020, held in 2021.

In between all this, Mirabai has taken on a new challenge shifting to the 48 kg category. And as she explains, the real battle begins long before stepping onto the platform.

"First of all, maintaining this weight is very tough," she said while interacting with the media in Raipur on the sidelines of the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games, explaining how the drop from 49 kg has made life stricter. "I have to be much more careful and disciplined with my weight management."

It is not just training, it is constant sacrifice. Every meal is calculated, every craving controlled. "I need to control my diet more strictly, even if I feel like eating something, I have to avoid it," she added, underlining the unseen struggle behind every lift.

Despite these challenges, the 31-year-old's performance remains strong. At the National Championships, she lifted a total of 205 kg, a mark she had achieved before, but repeating it in a lower weight category carries deeper meaning.

"I had lifted 205 kg earlier as well, but coming back after a long time and achieving it again in the 48 kg category is very important for me," the Khel Ratna awardee athlete said, her confidence evident.

The Paris Olympics disappointment still lingers, but not as regret rather as motivation. Injuries, she admits, played a crucial role in Paris. "Because of my injury, I was not able to perform at my full capacity," the Manipuri athlete reflected. "When I went on the platform, the pain started again, that's why I missed out."

Yet, there is no dwelling on the past. The mindset remains forward-looking and determined. "My immediate focus is on the Asian Games, I have achieved many things in my career, but I still don't have an Asian Games medal," she stressed further.

Beyond that lies another dream, the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. But for now, everything is aligned towards one goal. The stage is set in Japan in 2026. For Mirabai Chanu, it is not just another competition. It is a story waiting to be completed.