Asian Weightlifting Championship | Mirabai Chanu narrowly misses out on podium finish

Indian female weightlifter Mirabai Chanu narrowly missed out on a podium finish despite producing a personal best in the 49 kg event at the Asian Weightlifting Championship on Sunday.

The 24-year old former world champion lifted 86 kg in snatch and a personal best of 113 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 199 kg. Her earlier personal best total in 49 kg was 192 kg in the EGAT Cup in Thailand in February.

Chinese weightlifter Zhang Rong finished with the same total of 199 kg (88 kg+111 kg) but ended up on the podium due to the new rules which came into effect in 2017. Based on the new guidelines, the competitor who has a lower clean and jerk result (that means higher snatch result) will be ranked higher in the classification of athletes for total lift.

Meanwhile, the gold medal went to Hou Zhihui of China who produced an effort of 208 kg (92 kg+116 kg) while North Korea’s Ri Song-gum clinched the silver medal as she ended up lifting 200 kg (86 kg+114 kg) in the gold level Olympic qualifier.

After lifting 86 kg in her snatch, Chanu began her clean and jerk with a 109 kg and then lifted 113 kg successfully. However, the Manipuri could not lift 115 kg, which ultimately worked to her disadvantage. Had Chanu been successful in her attempt to lift 115 kg, she would have finished second on the podium with a total of 201 kg.