Mirabai Chanu falls short of medal in Paris Olympics women's 49kg weightlifting event, says ‘tried my best to win’

Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu narrowly missed securing a medal in the women's 49kg weightlifting event at the Paris Olympics, finishing in fourth place. Despite her valiant efforts, Chanu's combined total of 199kg left her just shy of the podium.

In a video message shared by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Chanu expressed her disappointment but remained resolute. "I tried my best to win a medal for the country but I missed it today," she said. "It is a part of the game; we all sometimes win and sometimes lose. Next time I will work harder to win a medal for the country. I will try my best and will deliver my best performance in the next game."

The Competition Breakdown

The weightlifting competition comprised two segments: the snatch and the clean-and-jerk. In the snatch, athletes must lift the barbell above their head in one fluid motion. The clean-and-jerk involves lifting the barbell to the chest (clean) and then pushing it overhead (jerk) with straight arms. Chanu's combined lifts from these two events totaled 199kg, placing her in fourth.

China's Hou Zhihui claimed the gold with a combined total of 206kg. Romania's Mihaela Valentina Cambei won silver with 205kg, while Thailand's Surodchana Khambao secured the bronze with a total lift of 200kg.

India's Olympic Journey

India's performance in weightlifting at the Paris Olympics saw another close finish with Chanu’s fourth-place result. So far, India has secured three bronze medals at the Paris Games, all in shooting events.

Despite the setback, Chanu remains optimistic and determined to achieve success in future competitions. Her dedication and resilience continue to inspire many, as she promises to come back stronger.