Want to get an Olympic medal for India, says Mirabai Chanu

The World Champion looks to overcome her lower back issues and head for Tokyo.

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has her sights set on winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games later this year. After the heartbreak in Rio in 2016, she now wants to go the distance and secure a medal for India, riding on better fitness than before and the hunger to do well.

“I want to get a medal for India. I’m ready to fight with athletes from all countries, including China. Since Rio, I have evolved a lot, I have worked very hard to be more perfect with my technique, especially in clean and jerk,” Mirabai Chanu said during an online press conference.

India’s top weightlifter, a World Champion, thanked the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Target Olympic Podium Scheme for approving her trip to the US where she worked with a physiotherapist Dr. Aaron Horschig to address her lower back issues.

“TOPS helped me in getting to work with him in USA. My training methods have changed and I have got better. He makes me do a lot of rehabiliation exercises, both for my shoulder and back issues. It helped me focus on various movements,” she said.

With pressure off her shoulders, Mirabai Chanu now motivates herself to get better in the weeks before the Olympics. “I want to return to US for training and also improve certain aspects of my game. I’m totally fit now and there are no injuries at all", she added.

"When I used to get injuries, I was demoralised and often asked myself why it happens to me. But I have stopped thinking about it. All I focus is on recovery, talk with my coaches and discuss the next steps", said Chanu.

“I also watch my own videos to motivate myself and play basketball, handball and volleyball when I get time. In the weekends, I listen to music. I’m in a good frame of mind now” concluded Mirabai Chanu.

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