Mirabai Chanu to train in United States for the Tokyo Olympics
Follow Us
Mirabai Chanu
India’s star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is set to train in the United States of America until the Tokyo Games. The 26-year-old, who is a part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), left the country on Saturday along with two others, including head coach Vijay Sharma. A PTI report understands that The Sports Authority of India Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has sanctioned around Rs 70.8 lakhs for her one-and-a-half-month long overseas training.
“The Indian Weightlifting Federation presented a proposal which was approved today evening. In light of the increasing travel restrictions due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, SAI felt it is better if Chanu leaves at the earliest,” the SAI source added.
Chanu has been impressive lately as she bagged the bronze medal in the recently-concluded Asian Championship by lifting 86kg in snatch. She also scripted a world record of 119kg in clean and jerk for a total of 205kg. Chanu will directly depart for Tokyo from the USA.
Mirabai Chanu to work on a shoulder issue which has been hampering her snatch
Coach Sharma addressed the media ahead of their departure. He shares that other wrestlers from the national camp will be joining Chanu in the US once their visa issues are cleared.
“Yes, we are leaving for USA tomorrow. We had informed SAI and TOPS about our inclination to train there earlier but yesterday after the media interaction with Mirabai they asked us to give a proposal and then approved it,” Sharma said.
“We are leaving with Mirabai tomorrow while the other lifters like Jeremy Lalrinnunga, Sneha Soren and Jhili Dalabehera don’t have the Visa so they will wait for it. Hopefully, they will be able to come as well.“
This will be Chanu’s second training stint in the US. In a media interaction, she had expressed her desire to work on a shoulder issue which has been hampering her snatch. The former world champion had spent two months working with former weightlifter-turned-physical therapist and strength and conditioning coach Dr Aaron Horschig last year as well. Chanu belives the stint was extremely beneficial to her.
Also Read | North Korea’s withdrawal from Tokyo Olympics boosts Mirabai Chanu’s medal hopes
Stay Updated!
Anshuman Mahapatra
(1496 Articles Published)