An athlete’s Mirabai Chanu participation in the world championships weigh-in and availability for drug testing is sufficient for Olympic qualification regardless of whether or not they attempt a lift.
Despite having won silver in the Tokyo Olympics, Mirabai Chanu will not be competing in the upcoming World Championships as a cautious measure on her way to winning gold at the prestigious Asian Games. The 2017 world champion will not be competing in the 49 kilogramme weight class, but will instead be present at the weigh-in as a show of support.
To qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Paris, competitors must take part in the World Championships, which kick off on September 4 in Riyadh. Athletes are not required to try a lift at the competition if they do not choose to per IWF regulations. The alternative is for them to take part in the weigh-in and submit to drug tests.
Those in the know say that Mirabai Chanu has decided to go that route. According to the entry lists, the Indian lifter will compete in Group D with a minimum entry weight of 60 kilogrammes. She has decided against competing in the upcoming World Championships. An official from the Indian Weightlifting Federation has stated that, “right now, the focus is to keep her fresh and fit for the Asian Games.”
Chanu, who had previously missed the Commonwealth Championships, had been dealing with ailments and niggles and had not competed since May 2017 due to a five-month rehabilitation period following hip surgery in December 2016.
After placing sixth in May’s Asian Championships, she jetted off to St. Louis, Missouri, USA to continue her recovery.
While weightlifters are required to attend the World Championships, Chanu need not worry about jeopardising his chances of competing in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris by not attempting a lift. The Indian is currently in second place on the IWF’s qualification list for the 2016 Olympic Games in Paris.
Since the Asian Games are the only major competition in which she has not yet won a medal, they have been at the top of her list of priorities.