Mirabai Chanu likely to switch to 53kg division for 2028 LA Olympics

World and Olympic medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is likely to switch to 53kg after the 2026 Asian Games.
Following a change in weight classes by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), Mirabai – who landed a silver medal in Tokyo 2020 and finished fourth in Paris 2024 in 49kg – dropped down to 48kg this year and claimed a gold in the Commonwealth championships in Ahmedabad and a silver in the World championships in Forde, Norway.
According to Sportstar report, the IWF on Monday removed 49kg and made 53kg the lowest body weight for women athletes for Los Angeles 2028. The minimum weight for men was set at 65kg.
Mirabai, who is seeking an elusive medal in the Asian Games next year in the 48kg division, will have to move up to 53kg if she wants to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
Chief national coach Vijay Sharma said going up to the heavier weight would help 31-year-old Mirabai, who used to maintain a body weight of 51kg when she competed in 49kg. “Now, shedding an additional one kg is difficult for her. It would have been tough for her to qualify for the Olympics in 48kg. Moving up to 53kg will not be difficult. This has brightened her chances,” said Sharma.
In 2022, Mirabai competed in 55kg at the Singapore International Meet to check her snatch technique ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
For now, Mirabai will focus on competing in 48kg as she aims for a hat-trick of Commonwealth Games gold and her maiden Asian Games medal in 2026.