No all-out push at CWG 2026: Mirabai Chanu prioritises Asian Games

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has said that she will not attempt the coveted 90kg snatch at the Commonwealth Games 2026 this year, in a bid to preserve herself for the Asian Games later in the year. Chanu aims to secure her first podium finish at the Asian Games, which will be held from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.Chanu is chasing her third consecutive medal at the Commonwealth Games and was one of India's flag bearers during the opening ceremony on Thursday. The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist said that her training has been aligned in a way that the Asian Games will be her priority.“I will not give my full effort in the Commonwealth Games. My focus is the Asian Games, which are very near. I am training according to that. So my performance and effort here will depend on that plan,” Chanu told PTI on Thursday.The former World Champion said that she will be going full threat in Japan, where she will be facing some tough competition. “You can’t really predict how the body will perform on a given day but I will try to get 90kg in the Asian Games for sure," said Chanu.The defending CWG champion is an overwhelming favourite in the 48kg category and would just need to complete her legal lifts in the snatch and clean and jerk to secure the gold medal. With the Asian Games just a couple of months away, Chanu isn't taking any unnecessary risk in Glasgow.'HAPPY TO GO TO 53 KG'Chanu revealed that she is eager to move up to the 53kg category after the Asian Games, after changes were made to the Olympic weight classes ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.Chanu will be competing in the 49 kg category at the Asian Games, and admitted that years of weight-cutting has taken a toll on her body.“Weight management is very difficult. Since the time I have been competing, I have been maintaining either 48kg or 49kg. It is very difficult. You have to keep track of a lot of things. Half a player’s life goes into this."“I am really happy that I will go to 53kg. I will feel very relaxed that I will not have to control my weight. But yes, when the weight increases, there will be more competition and I will have to improve my performance,” said Chanu.Chanu's medal event will take place on July 26.- EndsPublished On: Jul 24, 2026 11:33 IST