Last Updated:
Mirabai Chanu is eyeing her first ever Asian Games medal in Aichi-Nagoya but faces tough competition from China, North Korea, and Thailand.
Mirabai Chanu finished 4th at the last Asiad. (ANI Photo)
Mirabai Chanu has won medals at every major tournament except for one. And she has her sights on the one prestigious medal missing from her illustrious career while fully aware of the Olympic-level challenge at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya (Japan).
The 32-year-old Indian weightlifter has medals from every major global event including Olympic silver at the 2020 Tokyo Games (held in 2021). However, an Asian Games podium finish has remained elusive despite two previous attempts.
Mirabai‘s latest success came at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she secured her third gold medal at the quadrennial event. But she believes the level of competition in Japan will be vastly different, with powerhouse Asian nations China, North Korea and Thailand expected to field their strongest lifters.
“To be honest, the competition in the Commonwealth Games was not tough for me. I did not have to put in a lot of effort at Glasgow. The real test lies ahead,” Mirabai told SAI Media ahead of the Asian Games, which begin on September 19.
“I want to see how far I can go in Japan. The Asian Games have been the toughest for me. You will probably see the ‘Olympics’ at the Asian Games this time because the strongest lifters in our weight category are from Asia,” she said.
Her best finish at the Asian Games came in Hangzhou in 2023, where she finished fourth in the 49kg category. A hip and thigh injury affected her performance and kept her off the podium. She missed the 2018 Jakarta edition altogether after suffering a severe back injury.
Avoiding another injury is therefore a priority as Mirabai prepares for another attempt at the medal that has eluded her. She is following a training programme devised by long-time coach Vijay Sharma and American strength and conditioning coach Dr Aaron Horschig.
“We have a video call every Thursday with him and we discuss everything about training, recovery and the next steps. Everything is reviewed to the finest detail and since Dr Horschig was a weightlifter himself, he knows every muscle in the body.
“This constant review has kept me in shape,” said Mirabai, whose association with Dr Horschig goes back to 2020.
Her determination was evident immediately after her Commonwealth Games triumph in Glasgow. With the competition venue already dismantled, Mirabai found a nearby gym, paid for a training session and resumed training.
She followed that up by returning directly to her training base in Modinagar after coming back to India, rather than taking a break in Manipur.
“I was straight back to training at Modinagar. In fact, I did not go home (in Manipur) and I have set myself a challenge ‘no going home till I win a medal at the Asian Games,'” said Mirabai.
She believes she is in good shape heading into the Asian Games, but the competition in Japan will also have implications for her longer-term Olympic plans. The weight category for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be 53kg, meaning Mirabai will have to strategically add body weight and strength.
“We have been careful with fitness and so far, I have felt good with my body,” said Mirabai adding that the Asian Games remains her only target.
“I will see how it goes at the Asian Games. In Los Angeles, the weight class will be 53kgs and I will need to bulk up.
“That should not be a problem but everything will depend on the performance at Nagoya and then we can plan with the Olympic qualifiers in December. I reckon all those who will play in Japan will target LA 2028 but for now it’s mission Asian Games for me,” said Mirabai, who will lead a five-member Indian weightlifting contingent at the Games.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18Mirabai Chanu will need to strategically add body weight and strength as she prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, due to the weight category moving up to 53kg.
Ask News18About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
August 26, 2026, 16:43 IST
Read More
