Indian weighlifter and 2017 world champion Saikhom Mirabai Chanu made a strong return from injury by winning a gold medal at the EGAT’s Cup in Thailand on Thursday, 7 February.
Chanu, who stormed to the 48 kg gold at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast last year, had been out of action for more than half of 2018 with a lower-back injury which threatened to derail her Olympic hopes.
But the 24-year-old showed her recovery is well on track with an effort of 192 kg in the silver-level Olympic qualifying event in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
“This is my first international event after recovering from injury. I am feeling 100 per cent fit. This is just four kg less than my personal best of 196kg. I am quite satisfied and happy with my performance.”Saikhom Mirabai Chanu
Chanu, according to PTI, lifted 82 kg in the snatch and 100 kg in the clean and jerk to finish on top of the podium in what was her first competition since her record-breaking CWG gold.
Japan's Miyake Hiromi (183kg) claimed the silver, while the bronze went to Papua New Guinea's Loa Dika Toua (179kg).
Even more pleasing to Chanu than the medal would be the points that she gains in the qualification tables for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“My next target is the Asian Championships in China, followed by the world championships, which is very crucial for me,” Chanu told PTI.
The back injury, after which she required extensive physiotherapy, forced Chanu out of the Asian Games in Indonesia as well as the world championships, which served a gold-level qualifier for the Olympics.
(With inputs from PTI)
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