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.
For the CWG, the IWLF had planned to send former World junior bronze medallist Jhilli Dalabehera in the 49kg and Mirabai in the 55kg category. In the 59kg, the IWLF had sent the entry of Bindyarani while twice national champion Popy Hazarika was selected in the 64kg division.
Now, after the IWF’s rejection, the Indian federation is back to the drawing board. It has sent revised entries for the CWG, with Mirabai competing in the 49kg, Bindyarani in 55kg and Popy in 59kg. There is no lifter ready in the 64kg category, so that will go unrepresented. This also means the unfortunate ouster of Asian champion Jhilli from the CWG squad. Due to this setback, the IWLF’s medal chances have taken a hit. Had Mirabai’s entry not been rejected, it would have allowed Jhilli to compete in the 49kg and Popy in 64kg.
Now, with Jhilli dropped and Popy returning to the 59kg, the country has possibly lost out on an opportunity to win a medal in the 64kg division. The IWLF hadn’t planned for any backup in Popy’s weight category assuming all entries would go through. The federation surely should have planned better — it should have done due diligence before switching the weight division. It is surprising that it did not check the rule books, nor did it communicate with the IWF to find out if such changes in weight categories were possible.
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.
For the CWG, the IWLF had planned to send former World junior bronze medallist Jhilli Dalabehera in the 49kg and Mirabai in the 55kg category. In the 59kg, the IWLF had sent the entry of Bindyarani while twice national champion Popy Hazarika was selected in the 64kg division.
Now, after the IWF’s rejection, the Indian federation is back to the drawing board. It has sent revised entries for the CWG, with Mirabai competing in the 49kg, Bindyarani in 55kg and Popy in 59kg. There is no lifter ready in the 64kg category, so that will go unrepresented. This also means the unfortunate ouster of Asian champion Jhilli from the CWG squad. Due to this setback, the IWLF’s medal chances have taken a hit. Had Mirabai’s entry not been rejected, it would have allowed Jhilli to compete in the 49kg and Popy in 64kg.
Now, with Jhilli dropped and Popy returning to the 59kg, the country has possibly lost out on an opportunity to win a medal in the 64kg division. The IWLF hadn’t planned for any backup in Popy’s weight category assuming all entries would go through. The federation surely should have planned better — it should have done due diligence before switching the weight division. It is surprising that it did not check the rule books, nor did it communicate with the IWF to find out if such changes in weight categories were possible.
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