Away from the ongoing 38th National Games, Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Mirabai Chanu has resumed training after opting out of the World Weightlifting Championships 2024 in December to prioritise her long-term rehabilitation programme.
Vijay Sharma, India’s chief weightlifting coach, who will be at the Monal Hall, MPSC, Rajat Jayanti Khel Parisar in Dehradun for the event, beginning on Thursday said that she is training in Modinagar.
“Mira started weight training earlier this month in Modinagar. It will go on till February end,” Sharma told The New Indian Express.
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced a new set of weight categories in December 2024, making Mira’s original 49kg category defunct.
The new weight category for senior and junior women — 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, +86kg — will be applicable from June 1.
“The change seems minor but we have to take every aspect into consideration before reaching the final conclusion. We have to check her natural weight without reducing the body weight. It’s not that simple. So her weight category for now is not decided,” the coach added.
At Paris 2024, the Manipur weightlifter missed out on a second podium finish at the Summer Games by 1kg in the 49kg category.
It will be interesting to witness how she performs in the new weight category in August.
“As of now, she will compete at the Commonwealth Senior, Junior & Youth Championships scheduled in Ahmedabad from August 24 to 30 in Ahmedabad. After that if everything goes fine she will compete at the World Championships scheduled from October 3 to 12,” Sharma said.
The new Olympic weight categories will be announced in July.