Asian Games the bigger goal for Mirabai and coach
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is prioritizing the upcoming Asian Games in Japan over the Glasgow Commonwealth Games to ensure peak performance and injury prevention. Her coach, Vijay Sharma, confirmed that the team is managing her training load to focus on securing a medal at the Asian Games.
Why it matters
The article highlights the strategic planning required for elite athletes to manage multiple international competitions while maintaining physical health.
Changing weight categories is never easy for an elite weightlifter. The real challenge is to reduce the weight while maintaining the same strength or even better it.
Mirabai Chanu has seamlessly and tactfully shifted between 48kg and 49kg and gone on to win a host of major medals in both weight categories.
The 31-year-old will be competing in 48kg in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Mirabai had competed in 49kg and won a gold in the 2022 CWG after clinching a silver in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She also bagged the CWG gold in 2018 and a silver in the 2025 World Championships in Forde, Norway, in 48kg.
“Yes, I have been in the weight category (49 kg) for many years. It is very tough to maintain my weight,” Mirabai told The Hindu here on Thursday.
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