Mirabai Chanu Enters 48kg at World Championships as India’s Chief Medal Hope

Her camp is targeting a 200kg total after a 193kg comeback at August’s Commonwealth event.

Overview

The World Weightlifting Championships begin Thursday in Forde, Norway, opening the first Worlds of the new Olympic cycle for the reconfigured 48kg class.
Chanu has moved down from 49kg to 48kg to match the International Weightlifting Federation’s divisions for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic program.
Chief coach Vijay Sharma says the meet will help identify gaps in her form, with the immediate goal set at surpassing a 200kg total.
Reigning force Ri Song Gum is favored for gold, with Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen and the Philippines’ Rosegie Ramos among key threats and China’s Zhu Qiulian and Li Shumiao still relatively untested on form.
India has named a 12-member squad, yet Chanu is viewed as the lone realistic medal contender, as the event also serves as a qualifier for next year’s Commonwealth Games.