World Weightlifting Championships: Mirabai Chanu braves thumb issue to win silver

Despite a right thumb issue, a resilient Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu landed her third World Championships medal as she claimed a silver in the new 48kg weight class in Forde, Norway.

The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist, who finished fourth in Paris 2024, lifted 84kg in snatch while failing twice in her attempt for 87kg. Mirabai, who had managed 111kg in Paris, registered 115kg — preceded by efforts of 109kg and 112kg — in clean and jerk to total 199kg. She was third in snatch and second in clean and jerk.

North Korean gold medallist Ri Song Gum aggregated 213kg. Thai Thanyathon Sukcharoen was third with 198kg in a field featuring two inexperienced Chinese.

Mirabai, the 2017 champion in 48kg, was delighted with her second Worlds silver, including one in 49kg in 2022.

“It was a big challenge to compete in the new weight without knowing much about the opponents. I had problems in controlling my body weight,” Mirabai, who lifted 193kg in the Commonwealth championships in late August, told The Hindu.

“This performance has given me confidence for the Asian Games. My snatch needs some work.”

Coach Vijay Sharma said Mirabai’s Worlds experience would help her in the Asian Games, where she would like to open her account next year.

“It was a preparatory event for the Asian Games as top seven were from our continent. We had a target of a 200kg-plus total. The thumb issue has been troubling her for two months. Still it was good. With this clean and jerk effort, she would have won a medal in Paris,” said Sharma.

“Mirabai should increase 10kg, including seven-eight kg in snatch, to ensure an Asiad medal. The thumb is not a big issue. She needs to de-load and take it easy for two months,” he added.