EXCLUSIVE: Mirabai Chanu not fretting over 90 Kg mark in snatch, gold medal still within reach

Weightlifting at Paris Olympics 2024 will be one of the last competitions to be played, and the billion strong Indian fan community will have to wait till August 7 to see if Mirabai Chanu can deliver yet another medal at the grandest stage. After her silver medal-winning feat from Tokyo 2020, the expectations have only risen for a gold, but so has the challenge. Not only will the 29-year-old have to get the better of some of the equally strong lifters from USA, Romania, and Thailand, but will also battle her demons of twin injuries – that she suffered in the wrist and hip, in quick succession.

As of now, Mirabai has already reached Paris and is busy training, and managing her tight, jam-packed schedule along with coach Vijay Sharma. Speaking exclusively to InsideSport from the venue, the Manipuri lifter made it clear that she’s out there to be the best, and not just settle for any medal. And her planning for that sounds rather impeccable.

Mirabai Chanu Getting There, Slowly

“I’m injury free for sure now. As far as lifting weights is concerned, we have not yet started to do that at 100% capacity. We still have a fair distance to go, as far as my event is concerned. Our training is up to the mark, and we would look to hit the peak during the day of the competition. The goal is simple, to do even better, from what I did at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Our sight is set on gold,” Mirabai Chanu said with a lot of conviction.

But it’s all easier said than done. Luckily, she is well aware of what glitches she needs to iron out, and also the strengths of her competition, that would hold her in good stead. In fact, she just knows, as to how much she needs to lift to be the best on the day. 

“Last time I got a silver medal at 202 kg. But this time around, the competition will be stiffer, since there are participants from Thailand (Surodchana Khambao), Romania (Mihaela Cambei), and USA (Jourdan Delacruz), who are doing exceptionally well. So maybe the 205-207 kg range is what we are looking at, to assure a medal, and who knows a gold medal as well.”

90 Kg in Snatch at Paris Olympics?

If one looks closely at Mirabai’s career, one thing is evident. She is a master of clean and jerk, while snatch has unfortunately been her Achilles heel. A former World Record holder in the clean and jerk, she has a best of 119 kg there, but in snatch, it’s only 88 kg. Mind you, the best in the world now are consistently lifting above 90 kg this year, and clean and jerk has moved in mid 220s. So is the Indian up for the challenge?

“I can’t just say that I can cross 90 kg in snatch category. The preparation is of course there, and we’re putting in the hard yards. It also depends on the level of competition we get on the day. It would also matter a lot, as to how much my opponents are lifting. If they don’t lift much, I wouldn’t have to worry about it. All I can say is, we’ll find out shortly, in a few days time. 

“For now, I’m just focusing on growing my strength and technique, to win a gold medal for my country. Who knows that might come without 90 kg in snatch as well. I don’t want to stress myself with a 90 kg lift. Clean and jerk has been a strong point for me, so I’ll look to do much better there as well, and not just be worried about hitting the 90 kg mark in snatch. After all, it is a combination of both.”

Mirabai’s Training Schedule & Diet

It all boils down to her training and also her diet. It sounds simple, but could just be mighty effective. And Mirabai has a fixed programme for both. “So here in Paris, we do two sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, we have one session each.

“When it comes to the diet, since I compete in the 49 kg category, I have to be very mindful of what I eat and how much I eat. So usually when we train, we keep the weight by 1.5 kg. For breakfast, it’s boiled eggs without yolk. Then there’s boiled mushrooms as well. Everything is well regulated.

“Then as the competition approaches we increase our protein intake, carbs reduce a bit. I eat salmon, lots of salads, then I go in for dals (pulses) as well. Rice is there in my meals too, in fact, I don’t eat at all without rice (chuckles). To load up carbs, rice can be a good option, and then of course, some cheese as well. For dinner I have red meat,” Mirabai Chanu added.

Medal Loading in Weightlifting?

All said and done, for a medal at the Olympics to happen — a lot of things need to go right for Mirabai. What might just work in her favour is, she has been there and done that, and it is just a question of her repeating it all again. But in all fairness, one also needs to taper down the expectations from her, for the simple reason, that she’s coming back after a long injury lay off. So, let’s hope for the best!