By Sarhind Times Sports Desk
Forde, Norway, October 3:
India’s golden girl of weightlifting, Mirabai Chanu, once again proved her mettle on the global stage, clinching silver at the World Weightlifting Championships with a total lift of 199kg (84kg snatch + 115kg clean & jerk).
The performance not only earned her a podium finish but also reinforced her reputation as one of the most consistent athletes in Indian sporting history. This was Chanu’s third medal at the World Championships, underlining her remarkable longevity and resilience across Olympic cycles.
With the Paris 2024 Olympics qualification window underway, Chanu’s silver has given Indian selectors renewed confidence that she remains a medal contender despite recent struggles with injuries.
🏋️ The winning moment
The drama unfolded in the final minutes of competition when Chanu, trailing behind, had to execute a make-or-break 115kg clean & jerk attempt. With the pressure of a medal on her shoulders, she produced a flawless lift, stunning both the crowd and her competitors.
Her total of 199kg placed her ahead of several strong rivals and secured India’s place on the podium.
Fans and commentators immediately celebrated the clutch performance, with many highlighting her ability to thrive under pressure:
“When it mattered most, Mirabai delivered once again. This is why she is the face of Indian weightlifting,” tweeted an international commentator.
🌟 A legacy of medals
Mirabai Chanu’s career trajectory reads like a story of grit and persistence:
- 2017 World Champion (Gold) in Anaheim.
- Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist in the 49kg category.
- Multiple Commonwealth Games Golds, including 2018 and 2022.
- Now, her third World Championships medal, consolidating her place among the sport’s legends.
Each medal has come after overcoming obstacles—whether it was injury setbacks, lack of infrastructure in her early years, or the psychological strain of carrying national expectations.
🩺 Injury struggles and comeback
In recent months, Chanu battled nagging back and wrist injuries that hampered her training. Many experts doubted whether she would regain her peak.
But her coaching team designed a recovery-focused training block, emphasising:
- Strengthening core stability.
- Technique refinement, especially in the jerk phase.
- Reduced competition load to allow healing.
Her comeback is proof not only of physical resilience but also of immense mental fortitude.
🇮🇳 What this means for Indian sport
Mirabai’s medal carries significance beyond personal glory:
- It adds to India’s growing global sporting footprint beyond cricket.
- Inspires the next generation of women athletes in Manipur and across India.
- Strengthens India’s case for medals at Paris 2024.
- Highlights the potential of weightlifting academies in the Northeast, where talent pipelines remain under-supported.
🗣️ Expert voices
- National Coach Vijay Sharma:
“We focused on building stability and easing her back into top form. Today’s performance confirms she is back at her best.”
- Olympic medalist Karnam Malleswari (India’s first weightlifting medalist):
“Mirabai’s consistency is extraordinary. She has carried Indian weightlifting on her shoulders for nearly a decade.”
- Sports scientist Dr. R. Subramaniam:
“Her technique has become more efficient with age. She knows exactly how to conserve energy across attempts.”
🌍 Global competition outlook
At the Worlds, Chanu competed against some of the best from China, Thailand, and North Korea—nations that dominate weightlifting. While China continues to set world records, Chanu’s ability to challenge them ensures India’s visibility in an otherwise East Asia-heavy sport.
With the Olympics looming, her medal sends a message: India is ready to contest.
📊 Day in numbers
- Snatch: 84kg
- Clean & Jerk: 115kg
- Total: 199kg (Silver)
- Medals: Chanu’s 3rd Worlds medal, India’s only medal this edition
📰 Conclusion
Mirabai Chanu’s silver medal at the 2024 Weightlifting Worlds is more than just a sporting achievement—it is a story of perseverance, resilience, and inspiration.
As she prepares for Paris 2024, the nation watches with hope. For now, her medal in Forde is a reminder that Indian athletes can shine on the world’s toughest platforms, and that sporting excellence, like Chanu’s lifts, comes from strength built on struggle.
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