Mirabai Chanu: Weightlifting Rigors Never Truly End, Even During Family Time

Mirabai Chanu, India's celebrated weightlifter, reveals that the rigors of training and maintaining her weight are constant companions, even during family time. The silver medalist in the 49kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is currently focused on preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Championships.

Mirabai Chanu shares her thoughts on training and diet.

"We do get some downtime, especially after major events like the Asian Games or Olympics. I take that rest, but it’s quickly back to training. Spending time with family is crucial, especially after dedicating so much time to training; it’s vital for relaxation," Mirabai shared on the "Game On" podcast.

"That aspect is beneficial, but the focus shifts back to training. The Commonwealth Championships are next, serving as a qualifier for the Commonwealth Games. Our complete focus is on that, and our preparations are tailored accordingly."

She further elaborated on the sacrifices involved: "We don’t often get to fully enjoy traveling. While I do go out occasionally, it’s hard to relax with my family the way I’d like, because we have to return to training. With so much time already invested, we’re always thinking about recovery and maintenance... It’s always on my mind: when do I resume training? Can I perform as well as before?"

"So, we're constantly thinking about training – even while eating! We consider the impact of every food choice. Will it lead to fat gain? Will my weight increase? This restricts what we can eat."

Mirabai confessed her love for a particular treat: "I love junk food, especially pizza! Everyone knows that. But I still can’t indulge. Even when I'm not training, I crave it, but I resist and think, ‘How will this affect tomorrow's training?’ Maintaining my weight, especially around 50 kg, is very difficult – it's tough to train and stay at that weight. So, even when I desire something, I have to restrain myself, prioritizing competition."

Her impressive achievements include an Olympic silver medal, gold and silver medals at the World Championships, two golds and a silver at the Commonwealth Games, and a bronze at the Asian Championships, solidifying her place as a dominant force in weightlifting.