Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu delivered a dominant performance at the National Weightlifting Championships on Wednesday, breaking three of her own national records while winning the women’s 48kg title.
The Manipuri weightlifter lifted a total of 205kg, with 89kg in the snatch and 116kg in the clean and jerk. Her effort set new national records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and overall total.
“I am very happy with this performance. It has boosted my confidence. Earlier, I was competing in the 49kg category, so achieving this result in 48kg feels great,” Chanu said.
She said she is aiming to lift over 90kg in the snatch in upcoming competitions. “Today I tried, but since my training was not fully in place, I couldn’t achieve it. Once my training is in full flow, I am confident I will cross 90kg,” she added.
Chanu, India’s most decorated weightlifter in recent years, had not improved her personal bests in the snatch and clean and jerk since 2020 and 2021. Her latest performance signals a strong return to peak form.
The record-breaking show comes ahead of a busy competitive season for Chanu, which includes the Asian Championships in April, followed by the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Championships.
“This attempt to improve my personal bests was meant to boost my confidence and also to check whether my technique and training are working,” Chanu said.
As is often the case at domestic competitions, Chanu faced little challenge for the gold medal and needed only two successful lifts each in the snatch and clean and jerk to secure the title.
However, there was a noticeable change in approach this time, with India chief coach Vijay Sharma encouraging Chanu to push harder instead of taking a conservative strategy.
The 31-year-old began with higher-than-usual opening weights, starting at 86kg in the snatch and 112kg in the clean and jerk.
She opened strongly, lifting 86kg comfortably before successfully completing a smooth 89kg attempt. The lift bettered her previous personal best of 88kg, which she had set at the 2020 National Championships in the 49kg category.
She has been trying to cross the 90kg mark since 2019 and has narrowly missed it on several occasions. On Wednesday, she once again went close, attempting 91kg in her final snatch lift but losing balance.
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In the clean and jerk, Chanu successfully lifted 112kg and 116kg before being encouraged to go for 120kg in her last attempt, which she was unable to complete.
All India Police’s Radha Soni 183kg (79kg+104kg) and Komal Kohar 182kg (79kg+103kg) of Railways secured the silver and bronze medals respectively.
