India’s weightlifting sensation Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the silver medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has secured the country’s only quota in weightlifting for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. This achievement comes after her impressive performance at the IWF World Cup 2024 in Phuket, where she finished third in Group B.
To be eligible for participation in the Summer Games, weightlifters were obligated to compete in the World Weightlifting Championships 2023 and this year’s IWF World Cup. Chanu, prioritizing her fitness for the Asian Games, opted to attend the weigh-in at the 2023 Worlds but avoided lifting.
The qualification criteria also stipulated that a lifter must participate in at least three of the following events: the 2022 World Championships, 2023 Continental Championships, 2023 Grand Prix 1, 2023 Grand Prix II, and 2024 Continental Championships. Chanu met these requirements by competing at the 2022 World Championships and 2023 Asian Championships, followed by her participation in the 2023 Grand Prix II. Her dedication and strategic approach have paved the way for her to represent India at the prestigious Paris Olympics.
