Mirabai Chanu Eyes Asian Games Glory, Says Toughest Test Awaits in Nagoya

For Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the upcoming Asian Games represent more than just another major competition. The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist is chasing the one global medal that has so far remained missing from her impressive collection.

As the September 19-October 4 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya approach, Mirabai's biggest focus is staying fit and injury-free. The 32-year-old has endured several setbacks at the Asian Games in the past, but this time she is determined to arrive in Japan in the best possible shape.

A key part of her preparation has been the long-standing partnership with coach Vijay Sharma and American strength and conditioning specialist Dr Aaron Horschig. Mirabai has worked with Horschig since November 2020, with the two maintaining regular contact to monitor her training and recovery.

"We have a video call every Thursday with him and discuss everything related to training, recovery and the next steps. Everything is reviewed in detail. Since Dr Horschig was a weightlifter himself, he understands the body and its muscles very well. This constant review has helped me remain in good shape," Mirabai told SAI Media.

Her determination to win an Asian Games medal has also influenced her routine away from competition. After winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Mirabai did not take a break. Even after the competition organisers dismantled the weightlifting hall, she, Sharma and physiotherapist Rohit Chhabria found another gym in the city and paid for a training session.

"I went straight back to training at Modinagar. In fact, I did not go home to Manipur. I have set myself a challenge — no going home until I win a medal at the Asian Games," she said.

The Asian Games have proved particularly difficult for Mirabai. At the 2022 Hangzhou Games, she finished fourth in the 49kg category after a hip and thigh injury affected her performance during the snatch. Four years earlier in Jakarta, a serious back injury forced her to withdraw from the competition.

Despite securing her third successive Commonwealth Games gold, Mirabai does not believe her performance in Glasgow tells the full story of what she can achieve in Japan.

"To be honest, the competition at the Commonwealth Games was not tough for me. I did not have to put in a lot of effort in Glasgow. The real test lies ahead," she said.

Mirabai lifted a combined 190kg in Glasgow, including 85kg in the snatch and 105kg in the clean and jerk, to win the women's 48kg gold. Her performance also earned her Commonwealth Games records in all three categories — snatch, clean and jerk and total lift.

Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo Nyong won silver with 168kg, while Malaysia's Irene Jane Henry took bronze with 167kg.

Mirabai's personal best stands at 205kg, comprising an 89kg snatch and a 116kg clean and jerk. She believes she will need to produce something close to her best in Japan, where the competition is expected to be significantly stronger.

"I want to see how far I can go in Japan. The Asian Games have been the toughest for me. You will probably see the Olympics at the Asian Games this time because the strongest lifters in our weight category are from Asia," she said.

Chinese, North Korean, Japanese and Thai lifters are expected to provide the stiffest challenge. Mirabai knows the margin for error will be extremely small. At the Paris Olympics in 2024, she missed the podium after Thailand's Surodchana Khambao finished ahead of her by just 1kg with a total of 200kg.

For now, however, Mirabai is satisfied with her physical condition.

"We have been careful with fitness and so far, I have felt good with my body," she said.

The Asian Games will also help determine the next phase of her career. The weight category for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is expected to be 53kg, meaning Mirabai will have to increase her body weight after the Asian Games. She plans to assess her performance in Nagoya before deciding on her next steps, including preparation for Olympic qualification events in December.

"I will see how it goes at the Asian Games. In Los Angeles, the weight class will be 53kg and I will need to bulk up. That should not be a problem, but everything will depend on my performance at Nagoya. Then we can plan for the Olympic qualifiers in December. I reckon everyone competing in Japan will have LA 2028 in mind, but for now, it is mission Asian Games for me," Mirabai said.

Mirabai will spearhead India's five-member weightlifting contingent at the Asian Games and will be one of four women in the squad. The weightlifting events are scheduled to be held from September 22 to 28 at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Aichi, Nagoya.

For the three-time Olympian, the immediate objective is clear: remain healthy, handle the strongest field in Asia and finally add an Asian Games medal to an already remarkable career.
 

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