Mirabai Chanu Eyes Snatch Record in 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championship

Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has a chance to break the 90kg mark in the snatch category at the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championship in South Korea. Chanu, who won a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships, has been dominant in the clean and jerk category, holding the world record in her 49kg category. However, her personal best snatch lift is 88kg, and a victory in this event on May 5 would help her qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This competition is crucial for Chanu as it is one of the six remaining international events that will contribute to the Olympic Qualifying Ranking (OQR) collated by the International Weightlifting Federation. If Chanu can produce a total lift that is not beaten by nine other lifters in the next five events, she will secure an Olympic place. Chanu faces strong competitors from Korea and China, making the event highly challenging.

The competition is also an opportunity for other Indian weightlifters to compete for a spot in the OQR. Jeremy Lalrinnunga and Achinta Sheuli, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 but have been sidelined due to injuries, are competing with each other for a spot in the OQR. The Indian contingent will be looking to make a mark in this championship and secure their places in the Olympics.

Re-reported from the story originally published in indianexpress