(Sports News) Once again, the Indian team will be led by two-time medallist Mirabai Chanu as they prepare to compete in the World Weightlifting Championships scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September.
In addition to Mirabai Chanu, who will compete in the 49 kg category, the team boasts other accomplished weightlifters. Bindyarani Devi, a Commonwealth Games medallist, will participate in the 55kg category, while Achinta Sheuli, another Commonwealth Games medallist, will compete in the 73 kg category. Joining them will be Shubham Todkar in the 61 kg category and Narayana Ajith in the 73 kg category.
It is worth noting that the same squad will also represent India at the upcoming Asian Games, with the exception of Shubham Todkar.
Following her Tokyo Olympic silver medal win, this upcoming competition will mark Mirabai Chanu’s return to the field since her participation in the Asian Championships in May, where Mirabai Chanu secured a sixth-place finish.
Currently, both Mirabai Chanu and Bindyarani are in St. Louis, USA, engaged in a 65-day training camp led by Dr. Aron Horschig, a former weightlifter who is now a physical therapist and strength and conditioning coach.
Regarding Chanu’s condition, national coach Vijay Sharma, who is accompanying her in the US, stated that she is not injured and the focus of their training is on building her strength. He confirmed that Chanu will compete in both the World Weightlifting Championships and the Asian Games.
It is important to note that there is a limited time frame between the conclusion of the World Championships and the commencement of the Asian Games.
Deviating from the usual timing towards the end of the year, the World Weightlifting Championships are set to commence on September 4. Remarkably, less than 20 days later, the Asian Games will begin in Hangzhou, China on September 23.
Although the Asian Games do not serve as a qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympics, securing a medal at the Asian Games is a significant accolade that Mirabai Chanu has yet to attain.
Vijay Sharma, the national coach, affirmed Chanu’s determination to compete in both events, stating, “An Asian Games medal is the only medal she doesn’t have, so she will participate in both competitions.”
Having previously achieved the status of a world champion, Mirabai Chanu secured a silver medal in the previous edition of the World Weightlifting Championships held in December of the previous year.
According to the Olympic qualification rules for the 2024 Olympics, participation in the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 World Cup is mandatory for weightlifters.
In addition to the aforementioned events, lifters are required to participate in at least three of the following competitions: the 2022 World Championships, the 2023 Continental Championships, the 2023 Grand Prix 1, the 2023 Grand Prix II, and the 2024 Continental Championships.
At the end of the qualification period, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) will release the Olympic Qualification Rating (OQR) for each weight category.
For the final assessment, a weightlifter’s best three performances achieved during the qualifying events will be taken into consideration.
Also Read: Gianni Infantino has unveiled plans for a fresh African Football League
