Manipur’s Mirabai Chanu, Tokyo Olympics silver medallist and reigning Commonwealth Games champion, has secured her berth for the Paris Olympics 2024, emerging as the only weightlifter from India to qualify for the prestigious event.

Mirabai’s qualification reportedly comes after a commendable performance at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, where she finished third in Group B of the women’s 49kg division.

Despite facing challenges due to a six-month injury-enforced hiatus, Mirabai displayed remarkable resilience, registering a total lift of 184kg (81kg in snatch + 103kg in clean & jerk).

Expressing her satisfaction after the event, Mirabai stated, “The journey to get here required relentless dedication and hard work, and I couldn’t be happier being back on the ramp — lifting and competing for my country.”

However, the road ahead for Mirabai in Paris is anticipated to be arduous, with formidable competitors vying for the podium.

In Tokyo, Mirabai faced no competition from North Korean weightlifters in her weight division, but in Paris, she will contend with top-notch contenders such as Chinese lifters Jiang Huihua and Hou Zhihui, along with North Korea’s Ri Song Gum, a world record holder with an impressive total lift of 221kg.

With her qualification, Mirabai has secured the No. 2 spot in the IWF ranking charts, a testament to her consistent performance at prestigious events including the 2022 World Championships, 2023 Asian Championships, and the 2024 World Cup.

Mirabai Chanu’s journey to Paris Olympics 2024 symbolizes resilience, determination, and a quest for excellence, as she gears up to face the world’s best in the pursuit of Olympic glory.