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Indian weightlifting sensation Mirabai Chanu’s quest for a second consecutive Olympic medal in the women’s 49kg category fell just short as she finished a heartbreaking fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday. Despite a valiant effort and a total lift of 199kg, the Chanu missed out on a podium finish in a highly competitive field on her 30th birthday.
Chanu’s Injury-Plagued Road to Paris
Chanu’s journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by a series of challenges, including a recurring hip tendonitis injury she sustained at the 2023 Asian Games. The setback forced the 30-year-old weightlifter from Manipur to make frequent visits to strength and conditioning expert Dr. Aaron Horschig in St. Louis, USA, to address muscle imbalances and regain her form.
Despite the obstacles, Chanu remained determined to replicate her success from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she won a silver medal with a total lift of 202kg. However, the competition in Paris proved to be even more intense, with several lifters capable of exceeding the 200kg mark.
The Fierce Competition in Paris
Chanu’s total lift of 199kg, while impressive, was not enough to secure a medal in the 12-woman contest. Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao clinched the bronze with a total of 200kg, while the USA’s Jourdan Delacruz, Romania’s Valentina Cambei, and China’s Hou Zhihui were the other top contenders.
Chanu’s personal best of 201kg, achieved at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, was not enough to challenge the elite field in Paris. The Indian lifter had listed an entry weight of 200kg for the Olympics, but her best effort of 199kg (88kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk) fell just short of the podium positions.
Chanu’s Valiant Effort and Missed Opportunities
Despite the disappointment, Chanu’s performance in Paris showcased her resilience and determination. She equaled her personal best in the snatch with a lift of 88kg, matching her national record. In the clean and jerk, Chanu attempted to lift 111kg, which would have been a new personal best, but narrowly missed out on completing the lift.
The Indian weightlifter’s final attempt of 114kg in the clean and jerk, which would have secured her a bronze medal, was not successful, leaving her in fourth place with a total lift of 199kg. Chanu’s missed opportunities and the narrow margin between success and failure highlighted the intense competition at the highest level of weightlifting.
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