Mirabai eyes Asian Games gold medal, pressure to lift 90 kg in snatch

When India’s experienced weightlifter Mirabai Chanu comes out to challenge in the weightlifting competition in the Asian Games starting here from Saturday, she will be under pressure to lift a weight of 90 kg in the snatch category. However, it will not be easy for this player from Manipur to achieve a podium position in these games. Countries like China, North Korea and Thailand have dominated weightlifting.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Chanu has been among the top players in the world in the 49 kg weight category. However, she is struggling to lift 90 kg in the snatch category. She is still among the top players in the world in clean and jerk with 119 kg, but her overall weight is being affected by her poor performance in snatch. Chanu’s best performance in snatch is 88 kg. Seven players in their weight category have lifted 90 kg or more. Of these, China’s two-time world champion Jiang Huihua, North Korea’s Ri Song Gum and Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen and Surodchana Khambao will present a challenge in the Asian Games.

Indian team head coach Vijay Sharma told PTI, “Our target is to cross the 90 kg mark (in snatch) in the Asian Games. It has been a long time since we have been trying to overcome that hurdle.” In weightlifting, Bindiarani Devi will challenge in the women’s 55 kg event.

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