Mirabai Chanu sets new world record, claims bronze at Asian weightlifting

Indian weightlifting ace Mirabai Chanu set a new clean and jerk world record en route to a bronze medal finish at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Indian competing in the women’s 49kg category lifted a total of 205kgs (snatch 86kg + clean and jerk 119kg) to finish third behind the Chinese duo of Hou Zhihui and Jiang Huihua.

Mirabai’s previous best was 203kg, registered at the national championships in Kolkata in February last year

The reigning world champion in the women’s 49kg, Jiang Huihua took the silver with a total lift of 207kg (89+118). Hou Zhihui pipped her compatriot for gold with an effort of 213kgs (96+117)

Returning to competition after a year’s gap, Mirabai Chanu looked rusty in her initial lifts as she failed to clear 85kgs in the snatch. But the Indian held her ground and managed a 86kg lift in her third to give herself a fighting chance in the competition.

The clean and jerk segment was a much straightforward one for Mirabai as she began with a 113kg lift in her first attempt. She then cleared 117kg in the second before managing a massive 119kg in her third attempt. 

The lift helped Mirabai Chanu to break Jiang Huihua’s world mark of 118kg in the segment.

Jhilli Dalabehera strikes gold

Earlier, young Indian lifter Jhilli Dalabehera won the gold medal in the women’s 45kg weight division, a non-Olympic weightlifting category. This was her second medal in the Asian meet after her silver in 2019.

Competing in the depleted field that featured just two lifters, the Indian managed a total lift of 157kg (69+88) to win the top prize. Philippines’ Mary Flor Diaz was second with an effort of 135kg (60+75).

One of India’s Olympic hopefuls, Jeremy Lalrinnunga will be in action on Monday in the men’s 67kg division.