IMPHAL: Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, Manipur’s Mirabai Chanu has secured qualification for the Paris Olympics, emerging as the sole Indian weightlifter to achieve this feat.
The 29-year-old athlete accomplished this milestone after delivering a stellar performance at the ongoing IWF World Cup held in Phuket, Thailand.
Her impressive total lift of 184kg at the World Cup played a key role in securing her berth for the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Games.
While the official announcement regarding Chanu’s qualification is pending until the conclusion of the World Cup, her remarkable achievement signifies a remarkable moment for Indian weightlifting.
Chanu, who recently made a comeback to competitive action following a six-month injury lay-off, displayed her exceptional talent by clinching the third position in Group B of the women’s 49kg category, securing the 11th position overall in the event.
Expressing her joy and gratitude, Chanu told the press, “It feels incredible to come back after an injury.”
She said that every lift she made today felt clean, clear, and powerful, and she’s leaving this competition feeling strong and confident.
“The rehabilitation was tough and demanding, but with the support of everyone involved in her rehab and recovery, she pushed through all the complications,” she added.
Chanu, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, further added, “The goal was to secure my spot for the Paris Olympics, and now that I am almost through for the Paris Olympics, all my attention is on making a mark at the Paris Olympics.”
Having fulfilled the qualification criteria for the Paris Olympics with her participation in the World Cup, Chanu stands second in the women’s 49kg Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR), with China’s Jiang Huihua leading the rankings.
