India coach advises Mirabai Chanu to avoid overexertion in Glasgow, focus on Asian Games

By: K. Keerthivasan

Changing weight categories is never easy for an elite weightlifter. The real challenge is to reduce weight while maintaining — or even improving — strength.

Mirabai Chanu has seamlessly and tactfully shifted between the 48kg and 49kg categories, winning a host of major medals in both.

The 31-year-old will compete in the 48kg category at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Mirabai previously competed in 49kg, winning gold at the 2022 CWG after clinching silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She also won CWG gold in 2018 and a silver medal at the 2025 World Championships in Forde, Norway, in the 48kg category.

“Yes, I have been in the weight category (49kg) for many years. It is very tough to maintain my weight,” Mirabai told The Hindu on Thursday.

Her coach, Vijay Sharma, has advised her to take it easy in Glasgow and not put too much pressure on herself in pursuit of a third consecutive CWG gold.

A smiling Mirabai said: “My focus is on the forthcoming Asian Games (49kg) in Japan. However, I will give my best here as there are good weightlifters from Nigeria and Canada.”

Vijay, who also serves as the chief national coach, noted that since Mirabai has not yet won a medal at the Asian Games, it is better to go all out in Japan.

“We have a plan for her. We are focusing on the Asian Games. We don’t want her to push herself too much here lest she ends up with an injury. She is fit though,” he said.

Vijay further stated that the Indian team includes many promising youngsters, and he expects the medal tally to reach as high as 10. The weightlifting competition begins at the Scottish Event Campus here on Sunday.