Mirabai Chanu, India’s star weightlifter, finished sixth at the Asian Weightlifting Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on April 18, 2021. Despite not achieving her desired result, Chanu demonstrated her unwavering commitment and determination to excel at the highest levels of competition.
Chanu, who won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, had been hoping to improve upon her previous performances at the Asian Weightlifting Championships. However, despite her best efforts, she was unable to make the podium this time around.
Chanu competed in the 49 kg weight category, where she lifted a total of 181 kg (81 kg in the snatch and 100 kg in the clean and jerk). While this was a strong performance, it was not enough to secure a medal. Hou Zhihui of China took the gold medal with a total lift of 213 kg, followed by Windy Cantika Aisah of Indonesia (209 kg) and Miyake Hiromi of Japan (198 kg).
Despite not achieving her desired result, Chanu remained optimistic and focused on the positives. “I gave my best and I am happy with my performance,” she said in an interview after the event. “I will work harder to improve my performance and win medals for India in future competitions.”
Chanu’s coach, Vijay Sharma, was also impressed with her performance and praised her dedication and work ethic. “Mirabai has been training very hard for this competition, and she gave it her all,” he said. “We will continue to work on improving her technique and strength, and I am confident that she will bounce back stronger in future events.”
Chanu’s performance at the Asian Weightlifting Championships is a reminder that success in sports is not just about winning medals. It is also about the determination, perseverance, and commitment required to compete at the highest levels. Chanu’s sixth-place finish may not have been what she had hoped for, but it is clear that she has the talent, drive, and passion to continue pushing herself to new heights. With her sights set on the future, Chanu will undoubtedly continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of weightlifting.
