World Champion Indian weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the 48kg category gold with an effort of 192 kg at the EGAT Cup in Thailand, a silver level Olympic qualifying occasion. The points from which will come in handy when the final rankings for Tokyo 2020 cut are done.
The 24-year-old Manipuri lifted 82kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk to finish on top of the podium after recovering from the injury, which required extensive physiotherapy.
@mirabai_chanu returns BACK to competition post CWG 2018 with a GOLD medal🥇at EGAT’S Cup in Thailand – one of the qualifying tournaments for #Tokyo2020
Mira missed the Asian Games & World C’ship due to a back injury & has been in rehab since last 7 months! #ReadySteadyTokyo pic.twitter.com/9DaZSdnFOI
— OGQ (@OGQ_India) February 7, 2019
The point will prove to be useful when the final rankings for the Tokyo 2020 cut are finished.
Mirabai Chanu’s Solid Comeback
2⃣0⃣1⃣8⃣: GOLD 🥇
*comebacks from injury*
2⃣0⃣1⃣9⃣: GOLD 🥇@mirabai_chanu 🙌@OGQ_India @Ra_THORe @Media_SAI @IndiaSports @toisports @IndiaToday @ioaindia @TheHinduSports @IndianExpress @Telegraph @DeccanChronicle @mid_day @htTweets @TheQuint @ESPNIndia @dna @JagranNews pic.twitter.com/o7WYw0eAeM— IOS India (@iosindiaoff) February 7, 2019
Chanu had missed the world championships last year, a gold level Olympic qualifier, owing to the injury which had also forced her out of the Asian Games in Jakarta. Chanu last took part at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast where she won gold with an effort of 196kg.
She had then lifted 86kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk, a Games record and also her personal best.
She made a solid comeback from the lower back injury which required extensive physiotherapy. This kept her out of activity for a nine-month lay-off in 2018.
Chanu feels 2019 will be eventful
“This is my first international event subsequent to recuperating from injury. I am feeling 100 percent fit but since this is the first one after injury, it isn’t the best result. Be that as it may, this is only four kg less than my own best of 196 kg. I am very fulfilled and content with my performance. I had won World Championships in 2017 with 194 kg. My next target is the Asian Championships in China, trailed by the world championship, which is very crucial for me!”
Other Results
Japan’s Miyake Hiromi (183kg) won the silver, while the bronze went to Papua New Guinea’s Loa Dika Toua (179kg).
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