Mirabai Chanu, one of India’s most famous athletes, has won the silver medal in the 48kg category at the World Weightlifting Championships in Forde, Norway. This is another great achievement for her. This win adds to her impressive international record, which includes a gold medal at the World Championships in 2017 and a silver medal in 2022.
The 31-year-old weightlifter lifted a total of 199 kg, which included 84 kg in the snatch and 115 kg in the clean and jerk.
Clean and Jerk Dominance Wins the Silver
Chanu had a hard time at first in the snatch category, where she failed twice at 87 kg and finally settled for 84 kg. But she did an amazing job in the clean and jerk, easily finishing all three of her efforts. She was able to lift 109 kg, 112 kg, and finally 115 kg. It’s worth noting that her 115kg lift in this competition is the same as her performance at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, when she also won a silver medal.
Chanu’s recent move down from the 49kg weight class makes this win even more impressive. Vijay Sharma, her main coach, said that the main goal for this World Weightlifting Championships was to “go over 200 kg and start lifting weights that Chanu was lifting in the 49 kg category.”
Comeback After the Longest Break Since the Paris Olympics
Chanu’s second international event since the Paris Olympics last year was the tournament in Norway. It was also her longest gap from high-intensity competition. Her coach, Vijay Sharma, had already talked about the longer rest period, adding, “It is important to give the body time to rest.” She had been training at a high level for the Olympics for a long time, so it was vital for her to recuperate.
World Records and Medal Standings
Ri Song Gum from North Korea won the gold medal with a combined weight of 213 kg (91 kg snatch and 122 kg clean and jerk). Her last two successful lifts of 120kg and 122kg set new World Records in both the overall lift and the clean and jerk.
Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen won the bronze medal with a total lift of 198 kg, which included an 88 kg snatch and a 110 kg clean and jerk.