Mirabai betters own national record but misses out on medal

Pattaya, September 19

Former world champion Mirabai Chanu bettered her own national record but missed out on the podium, finishing a creditable fourth, in the women’s 49kg event at weightlifting’s World Championship. The 25-year-old Mirabai lifted a personal best in all the three sections. In the snatch, she lifted 87kg followed by 114kg in clean and jerk for a total of 201kg.

Mirabai’s earlier national record was 199kg (88kg+111kg) which she recorded in the Asian Weightlifting Championship in China in April. The gold medal went to Jiang Huihua of China, who set a new world record with an effort of 212kg (94kg+118kg). The earlier record of 210kg was held by Hou Zhihui of China.

Incidentally, Zhihui clinched the silver, lifting 211kg (94kg+117kg) in the gold-level Olympics qualifier. North Korea’s Ri Song Gum claimed the third spot with 204kg (89kg+115kg). 

After clearing 87kg in snatch, Mirabai began clean and jerk section with a 110kg lift and then went for 114kg. But in her third attempt, the Manipuri could not lift 118kg and that cost her dear. Had she been successful, she would have won the overall bronze with a total of 205kg. She would have also won the silver in the clean and jerk section. 

The other Indian in the fray, Sneha Soren, finished second in Group D of the women’s 55kg event. The 18-year-old lifted a total of 173kg (72kg+101kg) to be placed second in the eight-woman field of the easiest group competition. In the snatch section, Sneha finished fifth after lifting 72kg. However, she was ranked No. 1 in the clean and jerk category for her effort of 101kg. Her final standing will be determined after the end of Group A proceedings. — PTI