look news india
New Delhi, June 28 (HS). Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, eager to win another Olympic medal in addition to her silver in Tokyo, is taking precautions to avoid a repeat of her heartbreaking experience at last year's Hangzhou Asian Games.
For Mirabai, the only Indian weightlifter to qualify for Paris 2024, the last Asian Games, where she injured her right hip during the competition and could not register a total score, was a learning experience.
“I take care not to get injured during my training. I am careful about my technique, strength (training) and diet. What I eat and recovery is important. What exercises I do and which muscles I focus on is also important,” Mirabai said during an interaction organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Thursday.
The top lifter underwent five months of rehabilitation after the Asian Games and competed at the IWF World Cup in Phuket in April, successfully lifting 184kg. This was 18kg less than his total at the Tokyo Games and he will need to lift over 200kg to have any chance of winning a medal in Paris.
“Now I am lifting 80 to 85 per cent (of what I am capable of lifting). With a month left for the Games, I will gradually increase my weight,” she said.
The 29-year-old weightlifter, who is going through a mix of emotions ranging from excitement to anxiety, stress and nervousness, is set to leave for Paris on July 7 for training ahead of the Games.
She said, “I have suffered a lot in the last three years due to injuries. The competitors have changed. I wonder if I will be able to win a medal again. But if I give my 100 percent, I can win a medal for the country.”
She said, “I am proud to have got the opportunity to train in Paris before the Olympics. I thank SAI and the Indian Weightlifting Federation for their support.”
Mirabai also thanked her coach Vijay Sharma for his guidance. Looking forward to another successful Olympic campaign with her coach, Mirabai said, “I discuss everything with Vijay sir. He treats me like his daughter. My life changed after I joined him in 2014.”