Mirabai Chanu becomes the only Indian weightlifter to qualify for Paris Olympics

Tokyo Olympics medallist Mirabai Chanu became the only Indian weightlifter to qualify for the Paris Olympics this year after competing successfully at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand today. 

The 29-year-old Olympic silver medalist finished third in Group B of the women’s 49kg (and 11th overall) at the event to book her berth at the 2024 Paris Games.

Chanu, who is back in action after a six-month-long injury lay-off, lifted a total of 184kg at the World Cup, which is the final and a compulsory qualifier for Paris 2024.

With her event completed, the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist has fulfilled the criteria for Paris Olympics, which is participating in two mandatory events and three other qualifiers. 

The 2017 world champion is ranked second in the women’s 49kg Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR) currently, behind China’s Jiang Huihua.

The official announcement for the qualification will come after the conclusion of the World Cup.

The top 10 lifters from each weight class will qualify for the Paris Olympics.