NEW DELHI: Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu won’t compete in the 55kg category at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, as originally planned by the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) to maximise the country’s medal chances at the multi-sport event. The champion Manipuri lifter will return to her original weight division of 49kg at the Games, to be held from July 28 to August 8.
It’s been learnt that the international weightlifting federation (IWF) rejected her entry in the 55kg after informing the IWLF that Mirabai can’t switch weight divisions since she isn’t India’s No. 1 lifter in 55kg category. Bindyarani Devi, 22, is the current No. 1 in the country in that weight class. Mirabai, the reigning CWG champion, occupies the numero uno position in the 49kg category. The IWF is clear about admitting the CWG entries – only the names of top (No. 1) lifters in each weight category will be accepted.
