The silver-winning weightlifter from the Tokyo Olympics, Mirabai Chanu, is keen to win a medal at the Asian Games this year, calling it “unfinished business” in an otherwise remarkable career.
Chanu has been the face of Indian weightlifting for over ten years. The Manipuri’s decorated cabinet, which includes a silver medal from the Tokyo Olympics, three World Championship medals, and numerous podium finishes at the Commonwealth Games, is missing just an Asian Games medal.
“The Asian Games is very important personally because I still have unfinished business there. The competition level is very high, which makes it even more challenging and exciting,” PTI quoted Chanu as saying at a press conference following the opening ceremony of the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games in Raipur.
Chanu’s Asian Games experience has been filled with disappointments and close calls. Due to a back ailment, she was unable to compete in the 2018 Asian Games after placing ninth in her debut in 2014.
In the 2022 Asian Games, Chanu’s career was halted at a critical juncture due to a hip injury, which prevented her from winning a medal. This was the closest she ever came to a podium finish.
Chanu, who is currently 31, is hoping to make what may be her last appearance at the continental extravaganza in order to complete her adorned cabinet with the one missing medal.
However, Chanu’s biggest obstacle will be adjusting her weight because the Asian Games start on September 19 and the Commonwealth Games are set for July–August.
At the CWG, she will participate in the 48kg division before switching back to the 49kg division in an effort to win a medal at the Asian Games.
“I will keep my weight within 48kg till the Commonwealth Games, but within two months of it, there are Asian Games, which is in 49 kg, so I will have to switch back.”
