Chanu said that she was looking forward to competing against athletes all around the globe and that she’s worked hard to hone her technique.
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India’s premier weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has her eyes set on one and only one goal this year, securing a prestigious Olympic medal for herself and her country. She almost went the distance in Rio five years ago but fell just short of achieving her dream. This time around, she is equipped with better fitness, experience, and a hunger to go the distance. Chanu said that she was looking forward to competing against athletes all around the globe and that she’s worked hard to hone her skills and technique to perfection.
“I want to get a medal for India. I’m ready to fight with athletes from all countries, including China. Since Rio, I have evolved a lot, I have worked very hard to be more perfect with my technique, especially in clean and jerk. I have benefited from training in the United States,” Mirabai Chanu said at a virtual press conference, facilitated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
A world champion in her sport, Chanu expressed her gratefulness towards Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) formulated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for approving a trip to the United States where she worked on her fitness issues. She was helped by physiotherapist Dr. Aaron Horschig who addressed the issues with her lower back and shoulders.
“TOPS helped me in getting to work with him in the USA. My training methods have changed and I have got better. He makes me do a lot of rehabilitation exercises, not just for my shoulder and back issues. It helped me focus on various movements,” Chanu said.
She was inducted into TOPS in November 2018 and since then has received funding of Rs 51.51 lakhs for out-of-pocket allowance, equipment and training support, participation in international competitions, and sports science assistance. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports also sanctioned Rs 21.18 crores to the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) from 2019 to 2021 towards the Annual Competition and Training Calendar (ACTC).
Fitness issues, especially ones with her lower back and shoulders, had been a cause for concern for Chanu, but now, with the problems sorted, she looks forward to training harder and longer to get herself in the best possible shape and improve her skills ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
“I want to return to the US for training and also improve certain aspects of my game. I’m totally fit now and there are no injuries at all. When I used to get injuries, I got demoralized and often asked myself why it happens to me. But I have stopped thinking about it. All I focus on is on recovery, talk with my coaches and discuss the next steps,” she said.
The weightlifter also revealed that she watched videos of herself to motivate her and that she also plays basketball, volleyball, and handball when she gets the time. “I also watch my own videos to motivate myself and play basketball, handball, and volleyball when I get time. On the weekends, I listen to music. I’m in a good frame of mind now,” she concluded.
