Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu is set to make her much-anticipated return from injury as she competes in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship, which begins in Ahmedabad today. The 31-year-old star is treating the event as a crucial "dress rehearsal" on her comeback trail, with her sights firmly set on achieving podium finishes at the upcoming World Championships in Norway and the Asian Games in Japan next year.
While competing on home soil, Chanu has made it clear that her primary focus is on peaking for larger international events. "I’m not putting all my effort into Ahmedabad because I’m preparing for the World Championships," she stated. "My biggest target is the Asian Games, where I aim to break world records and win a medal, as I have none there yet.” Her confidence is bolstered by rigorous training in the USA under renowned physiotherapist Aaron Horschig, which she credited as a "game-changer, especially for managing injuries" following a thigh issue in 2023.
Beyond her personal comeback, Chanu is also embracing a significant new leadership role as the newly appointed chairperson of the Indian Weightlifting Federation’s Athletes Commission. She views this as a "big responsibility" and has already launched a visionary project to nurture future talent. "We’ve started a weightlifting centre in Modinagar, named Weightlifting Warriors, specifically for girls, to prepare them for the 2036 Olympics,” she shared.
Chanu is acutely aware of her influence on the sport, noting how her Olympic silver medal has inspired a new generation of female weightlifters. "I’m proud that my Tokyo medal changed how parents see their daughters’ potential,” she said. Praising the state-of-the-art facilities in Ahmedabad, she added that such infrastructure is a major boon for emerging athletes. "I wasn’t expecting such a beautiful stadium. This will definitely help young players," she remarked.
Addressing the long-standing issue of doping in Indian weightlifting, Chanu took a firm and unequivocal stand, urging young athletes to pursue clean sport. As a leader and role model, she sent a clear message to the next generation. "I don’t support doping. It will ruin careers," she asserted. "I advise players to stay away from wrongdoings."