PremiumIWF World Cup: Mirabai Chanu makes strong comeback from injury, finishes 3rd in Group B
The IWF World Cup serves as the final mandatory competition for athletes vying to qualify for the forthcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
Last Updated: 06.29 PM, Apr 01, 2024
Mirabai Chanu, making her comeback after overcoming injuries, has all but secured her spot for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. The silver medallist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics returned to weightlifting action on Monday after a six-month injury hiatus and finished 3rd in Group B of the women's 49kg category at the IWF World Cup, held in Phuket, Thailand.
This event will serve as the final mandatory competition for athletes vying to qualify for the forthcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite recent struggles with injuries, Chanu did a total lift of 184kg – comprising 81kg in snatch and 103kg in clean and jerk. Notably, Chanu's personal best lift stands at 205kg, achieved at the Asian Championships in 2021.
Chanu's performance at the IWF World Cup has bolstered her prospects of securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Presently, she occupies the second position in the women's 49kg Olympic Qualification Ranking, having participated in two mandatory events and three additional qualifiers.
The confirmation of Chanu’s participation in the Paris Games is expected upon the conclusion of the IWF World Cup, upon which the Olympic Qualification Rankings will be updated.
The top 10 lifters from each weight class will secure a spot for the upcoming multi-nation tournament and Mirabai Chanu's participation in the 2024 event will mark her third appearance at the Olympics.
Meanwhile, Bindyarani Devi will seize the opportunity to enhance her standing in the Olympic Qualification Ranking. Bindyarani, the recipient of the silver medal in the 55kg category at the Commonwealth Games, is set to compete in the Olympic weight class of 59kg.
Currently she occupies the 29th spot in the Olympic Qualification Ranking for women's 59kg, and will aim to improve her position in the upcoming competitions.