Gyaneshwari Lifts 198kg to Finish Eighth, Mirabai Chanu Withdraws From World C’ships

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Gyaneshwari Yadav delivered an impressive performance to finish eighth in the women’s 53kg category at the IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China, on Thursday. However, India’s campaign suffered a setback as star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu withdrew from the competition due to a back issue.

The 23-year-old Gyaneshwari, from Chhattisgarh, lifted a combined 198kg ( 88kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk) to top Group C. Her total was enough to place her eighth overall, ahead of several competitors from Groups A and B, which featured lifters with higher declared entry totals.

Gyaneshwari came close to producing an even better performance but missed two attempts, one each in the snatch and clean and jerk. Had she successfully completed those lifts, she could have surpassed her personal best of 199kg and improved her final standing. The Asian Championships silver medallist has been steadily establishing herself among India’s promising weightlifters.

Meanwhile, Mirabai Chanu, who was scheduled to make her debut in the 53kg category, pulled out before competing after experiencing back pain. She had been placed in Group B with an entry total of 200kg. Her withdrawal came as a disappointment, particularly as the championships are part of the qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

China’s Zhang Haiqin won the gold medal with a combined lift of 221kg (98kg+123kg). American Eleanor Ulrey secured silver with 220kg (98kg+122kg), while North Korea’s So Hyon Kim claimed bronze with 214kg (91kg+123kg).

The competition also highlighted the growing intensity in the women’s 53kg category, with seven lifters managing snatch lifts of 90kg or more. This is a significant benchmark that Chanu has been working towards achieving for several years.