Mirabai Chanu meets final criteria for Paris 2024 Olympics qualification at IWF World Cup

Mirabai Chanu is almost certain to secure a quota for India at the Paris Olympics after she returned to action at the IWF World Cup 2024 in Phuket, Thailand on Monday.

Competing for the first time after an absence of six months due to injury, Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Chanu finished third in Group B and 12th overall with a total lift of 184kg (81kg snatch + 103kg clean and jerk).

The 29-year-old former world champion had last lifted in a competition at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China.

According to the rules, it is compulsory for weightlifters to attend the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships and the 2024 IWF World Cup to be eligible to compete at upcoming Summer Games.

Mirabai Chanu attended the weigh-in at the 2023 World Championships held in Riyadh in September to mark her attendance for the meet. She, however, didn’t lift there to stay fit for the Asian Games.

Barring the two compulsory tournaments, a lifter also has to participate in at least three of the following events — the 2022 World Championships, the 2023 Continental Championships, the 2023 Grand Prix 1, the 2023 Grand Prix II and the 2024 Continental Championships — to be eligible for Paris 2024.

Chanu competed at the 2022 World Championships and 2023 Asian Championships and has marked her attendance at the 2023 Grand Prix II. So, turning up for the 2024 IWF World Cup in Phuket made her eligible to be selected for Paris 2024.

Furthermore, Mirabai Chanu is also currently ranked second in the Olympic Qualification Rankings (OQR) for the women’s 49 kg category. The top 10 ranked eligible lifters in the OQR for each weight category obtain a quota for Paris 2024.

The weightlifting rankings will be finalised after the IWF World Cup ends on April 11 but Chanu is certain to finish within the top 10.

“The goal was to secure my spot for the Paris Olympics, and now that I am almost through, all my attention is on making a mark at Paris 2024.” said Mirabai Chanu.

The Indian weightlifter also managed five clean lifts while competing in Phuket, which will be encouraging for the Manipuri after the long layoff.

“It feels incredible to come back after an injury. Almost every lift I made today felt clean, clear, and powerful, and I'm leaving this competition feeling strong and confident,” Chanu said.

“The rehabilitation was tough and demanding, but with the support of everyone involved in my rehab and recovery, I pushed through all the complications. The journey to get here required relentless dedication and hard work, and I couldn't be happier being back on the ramp - lifting and competing for my country.”

Mirabai Chanu has represented India at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.