A Disappointing Day for Mirabai Chanu
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu fell just short of winning a medal at the Paris Olympic 2024 Match. She finished fourth in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event, narrowly missing out on a podium spot. Chanu’s dream of clinching a second consecutive Olympic medal was dashed by a failed lift in her final attempt.
Performance Overview
Mirabai Chanu, who turns 30 on Thursday, lifted a total of 199kg (88kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk) at the South Paris Arena. This total was 3kg less than her performance at the Tokyo Olympic 2024 Match, where she lifted 202kg to win a silver medal.
Despite making only three successful lifts out of six attempts, Chanu showed resilience and determination throughout the competition. Her performance included two successful lifts in the clean and jerk section, but her failure to lift 114kg in her final attempt ultimately cost her a medal.
The Medalists
China’s Hou Zhihui stole the spotlight by smashing the clean and jerk Olympic record. She successfully defended her title with a total of 206kg (89kg in the snatch and 117kg in the clean and jerk). Romania’s Mihaela Cambei earned the silver medal with a total of 205kg (93kg in the snatch and 112kg in the clean and jerk), while Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao secured the bronze with a total of 200kg (88kg in the snatch and 112kg in the clean and jerk).
Chanu’s Performance Breakdown
Mirabai Chanu started her day with a modest 85kg lift, which she completed smoothly. Despite a challenging Olympic cycle plagued by injuries, she managed to stay competitive after the snatch section, an area known to be her Achilles’ heel.
Chanu faced difficulties with her second lift, where she attempted to equal her personal best of 88kg. However, she successfully snatched 88kg in her final attempt, keeping her hopes alive.
After the snatch section, Romanian Mihaela Cambei led with a lift of 93kg, while Zhihui, despite having only two legal lifts, was close behind at 89kg. Chanu’s start in the clean and jerk was shaky; she was the last to take her first attempt. Although she successfully cleaned 111kg, she was unable to execute the jerk part initially.
She made a second attempt at the same weight, lifting it successfully. However, her final attempt at 114kg, which was 5kg short of her personal best in the clean and jerk, ended in failure.
A Tough Day for the Indian Weightlifter
Despite the disappointment, Mirabai Chanu’s performance was a testament to her strength and dedication. Her narrow miss highlights the fine margins in elite sports, where every lift counts. As Chanu looks back on her Olympic journey, her resilience and achievements continue to inspire many. Stay updated with the latest Olympic 2024 Match from IPL365.
