How coach Vijay Sharma helped Jeremy Lalrinnunga fix his knee injury
The promising Indian weightlifter recently underwent treatment on his knee in Mumbai
After guiding Mirabai Chanu to a silver medal-finish at Tokyo 2020, the national weightlifting coach Vijay Sharma, has helped upcoming Indian weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga overcome his knee injury.
Sharma contacted well-known sports orthopaedics Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala for the treatment of his Mizoram-trainee. The treatment was important for the Youth Olympic Games gold medallist as physiotherapy or strengthening exercises alone didn't help him recover to full fitness.
"He (Jeremy Lalrinnunga) had this (knee) problem before Asian Championships. We had tried to resolve it by strengthening or physiotherapy. But when we didn't get the expected result, we spoke to Doctor (Dinshaw) Pardiwala, through Reliance Foundation in Mumbai," Sharma told Olympics.com
"He underwent an MRI scan there (in Mumbai) and then was given an injection for his treatment," he added.
It was at the Asian Championships earlier this year that Lalrinnunga aggravated his knee injury. He, however, then competed at the Junior World Championships in May. But his fourth place finish at the event was not enough to help him make a cut for Tokyo 2020.
Chief coach Sharma, now, is letting the 18-year-old take his time to find his feet back but has set a long-term goals for him. His first target will be to Lalrinnunga qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
"He (Jeremy Lalrinnunga) started training a few days back again after a rest session following his treatment. It is not a full-fledged training but we are planning to begin gradually," Sharma said.
"It will be a long-term (training) process for Jeremy (Lalrinnunga). We are going step-by-step. The initial target will be to qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG). Then we will take one step at a time after achieving our targets," he added.
The ongoing Olympic cycle, meanwhile, remains extremely crucial for Lalrinnunga who will be aiming for a maiden appearance at the Games at Paris 2024.