Mirabai Chanu: Defying Odds at Paris 2024
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has consistently defied the odds, building a legacy in weightlifting. Now, she aims to replicate her success at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
A Symbol of Victory
After winning a historic silver medal at Tokyo 2020, Mirabai Chanu got a tattoo of the Olympic rings on her left arm. She wonders if she’ll get another tattoo if she wins a medal in Paris. Though uncertain, Mirabai is thrilled about competing in Paris, a city where she has never competed before.
Excitement for Paris
“I am so excited to go to Paris. Our weightlifting championship has never taken place there,” Mirabai shared during a media interaction. Despite the charm and history of Paris, her primary focus remains on winning a medal for her country.
Achievements and Ambitions
Mirabai won India’s first silver medal in weightlifting at Tokyo 2020, lifting a combined total of 202kg in the women’s 49kg event. Her excitement for Paris is matched by her determination to perform her best.
“I am excited, nervous, and there’s also tension, but that’s normal for all athletes. In these last three years, I have faced a lot of problems, and there will be tough opponents. My goal is to give my best performance and win a medal,” she added.
Overcoming Challenges
The past three years have been challenging for Mirabai due to injuries. She injured her wrist two years ago but still managed to win a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships. The biggest setback came at the Hangzhou Asian Games when she injured her hip and thigh during a clean and jerk attempt. After six months of recovery, Mirabai returned to action at the Phuket World Cup, securing her place in Paris with a combined lift of 184 kg.
Training and Recovery
With the Paris Games approaching, Mirabai is not yet training at full capacity. “The injury is fine; I have completely recovered, but I am going slow in training. Right now, I am lifting 80-85 percent in repetitions,” she explained. Her target is to lift 90kg plus in snatch at Paris, but she is currently lifting 70-80kgs in training.
Mental and Physical Preparation
Mirabai is aware of the mental and physical challenges ahead. “It’s always difficult to deal with an injury, especially before the Olympics. But I believe in myself and I will never give up.” Now a veteran, Mirabai relies on her tried-and-tested methods to ensure peak performance in Paris.
Aiming for Gold
“I am just being the person I was before. My training remains the same. In the 49kg category, there will be intense competition, so I need to study my opponents. My goal is to deliver a medal-winning performance,” she said. Reflecting on her journey from her Olympic debut in Rio to her silver medal in Tokyo, Mirabai believes she can achieve even greater success in Paris.
Conclusion
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu’s resilience and determination make her a formidable contender at the Paris 2024 Olympics. If she can overcome the challenges of the past, there’s no reason she can’t achieve greatness once again.
Re-reported from the article originally published in Firstpost.
