New Delhi, August 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu is leaving no stone unturned in her bid to win her maiden Asian Games medal, with staying injury-free her biggest priority ahead of the September 19 to October 4 Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The 32-year-old weightlifter has made the Asian Games her sole focus after securing a third successive Commonwealth Games gold. She has continued training without a break and even skipped returning home to Manipur after the Glasgow competition.
“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,’” Mirabai told SAI Media.
Her preparation has been closely supported by coach Vijay Sharma and American strength and conditioning coach Dr Aaron Horschig, with whom she has worked since November 2020. Mirabai said they hold a video call every Thursday to review training, recovery and the next stages of preparation.
Horschig’s own background as a weightlifter, she said, helps him understand the physical demands of the sport and has contributed to keeping her in shape.
Mirabai’s Asian Games journey has repeatedly been disrupted by injuries. She finished fourth in the 49kg category at Hangzhou in 2023 after a hip and thigh injury affected her snatch attempts, while a severe back injury ruled her out of the 2018 Jakarta Games.
Despite winning gold in Glasgow, Mirabai believes the Asian Games will provide a far tougher challenge.
“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,” she said.
Mirabai lifted 190kg in Glasgow, comprising 85kg in the snatch and 105kg in the clean and jerk, to win the women’s 48kg gold and set Commonwealth Games records in all three categories. Nigeria’s Ruth Asuquo Nyong won silver with 168kg, while Malaysia’s Irene Jane Henry took bronze with 167kg.
Mirabai’s personal best is 205kg (89kg snatch and 116kg clean and jerk), achieved at the 2021 Asian Championships and matched more recently at the national championships in February 2026.
“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.
She expects strong competition from lifters from China, North Korea, Japan and Thailand. At the Paris Olympics in 2024, Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao finished ahead of Mirabai by one kilogram, lifting 200kg.
Mirabai said her fitness has so far been good and the immediate objective remains Nagoya. She noted that the weight category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be 53kg, requiring her to add body weight, but said that planning would depend on her Asian Games performance and the Olympic qualification process.
“I reckon all those who will play in Japan will target LA 2028 but for now it’s mission Asian Games for me,” she said.
Mirabai will lead a five-member Indian weightlifting contingent in Japan and will be one of four women in the squad. The weightlifting events will be held from September 22 to 28 at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Aichi, Nagoya.
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