'If I'm at my 100%, the medal will follow,' says Mirabai Chanu ahead of Paris 2024

Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Saikom Mirabai Chanu earned the opening medal for India at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 on Day 1 of the Games. She became the first Indian lifter to win a silver medal and second overall after Karnam Malleshwari, who won bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The 29-year-old former world champion will once again be expected to add to India’s medal tally at the Paris Olympics 2024. “Pressure comes in every player’s life,” said Mirabai Chanu. For Paris 2024, Mirabai Chanu stands as the only Indian lifter to make the cut.

“Pressure will be there as I bagged a medal for the country on the first day at the Tokyo Olympics. I will try to give my best performance. I am not burdening myself, but I am sure that I will give my best and hence, the medal will follow,” said Mirabai Chanu at a press conference organized by the Sports Authority of India, Indian Olympic Association and the Indian Weightlifting Federation on Thursday.

Mirabai suffered hip tendonitis to finish fourth at the Asian Games last year. She marked her comeback to competition after a five-month layoff and rehab. She lifted a total of 184kgs (81kgs snatch and 103kgs clean and jerk) at the Phuket World Cup in April this year.

It was 18kgs less than her total at the Tokyo Olympics. She needs to lift a total of 200kgs or more to ensure a medal this time. “I have completely recovered from the injury and I am taking it slowly in training,” she said. “Now, I am lifting 80-85% in repetitions. We have a month’s time left. Currently, the focus is more on recovery.”

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She conveyed her mixed emotions, from excitement to nervousness, ahead of the Games. “The competitors have changed. I have faced a lot of setbacks in the past few years due to injuries, but I’m fully determined to give my 100%.” She is set to depart for Paris on July 7 to train in preparation for the Games. The aim is to get acclimatized to the weather and prepare a robust training schedule.

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Mirabai Chanu expressed her gratitude to her long-time coach Vijay Sharma for his guidance, as the national weightlifting coach of India. “He treats me like his daughter. I’ve never faced any shortage in my training or any other things. My life has completely changed since I’ve shifted here (Patiala).”

She also recognized Dr Aaron Horschig, a renowned US-based strength and conditioning coach, who has played an important role in her career reaching it’s peak and helping her recover from injuries. “Training under him helps me to recover from injury quickly.”

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