Relief for weightlifter Mirabai Chanu as US training trip sanctioned ahead of Tokyo 2020
Chanu will be accompanied by national coach Vijay Sharma and assistant coach Sandip Kumar during the trip.
Star India weightlifter Mirabai Chanu breathed a sigh of relief as her plan to train in the United States for Tokyo 2020 was sanctioned by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) despite several countries imposing ban on Indian travelers due to the second wave of Covid-19 in the country.
The Tokyo-bound weightlifter departed for St. Louis, USA on Saturday to train under strength and conditioning coach Dr. Aaron Horschig.
Chanu's major focus during the stint will be on her shoulder issue that is hindering her lift in the snatch category. She had turned to Horschig last winter to help her recover from a lower-back injury.
The Manipuri-weightlifter will be based in St. Louis for 50 days and then travel for the Tokyo Olympics.
The trip was cleared at a meeting of the Indian government's Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) on Friday. Chanu is accompanied by national coach Vijay Sharma and assistant coach Sandip Kumar.
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) sanctioned about INR 71 lakh for her US training stint. TOPS is flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports where in the focus is to provide assistance to India’s top athletes.