India’s Mirabai Chanu bags silver at World Championships in Norway

Norway: Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu secured silver in the women’s 48kg event at the World Weightlifting Championships in Forde, Norway, on Thursday.

The 2017 world champion and 2022 silver-medallist lifted a combined 199kg, with 84kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk. Chanu, who had recently moved down from the 49kg division, faltered twice at 87kg in snatch but made a strong comeback in the clean and jerk, completing all three attempts successfully.

The 29-year-old, a former world record holder in clean and jerk, lifted 109kg, 112kg and 115kg — matching the weight she had last managed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she claimed silver.

North Korea’s Ri Song Gum dominated the event, taking gold with a world record-breaking total of 213kg (91kg + 122kg). Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen claimed bronze with 198kg (88kg + 110kg).

Chanu’s coach Vijay Sharma had said the goal at these championships was to cross the 200kg mark and return to her best levels in the 49kg category.

(With PTI inputs)