Mirabai Chanu Reveals Relentless Dedication: Weightlifting Dominates Thoughts Even During Family Time

Mirabai Chanu: Weightlifting Demands Constant Vigilance, Even During Family Time

Mirabai Chanu, India's celebrated weightlifter, reveals the relentless mental commitment required to excel in her sport. Even during precious moments with family, the demands of training and weight management remain a constant presence. The silver medalist in the 49kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is currently focused on preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Championships.

"We do get some downtime, particularly after major events like the Asian Games or Olympics. I take some rest, but then it's straight back to training. Spending time with family is vital, especially after dedicating so much time to training – it's essential to unwind a bit," Mirabai shared on the "Game On" podcast series.

"That aspect is enjoyable, but now it’s time to refocus on training. Next up is the Commonwealth Championships, which also serves as a qualifier for the Commonwealth Games. Our full attention is on that, and our preparations are entirely directed towards it.”

"We don’t often get to truly enjoy traveling. I do go out occasionally, but it's hard to fully relax with family in the way I'd like – because we have to get back to training. We've already invested so much time, so we have to think about recovery, maintenance...these thoughts are always there. I constantly wonder: when should I resume training? Will I be able to perform at my previous level?"

"So, to be honest, training is always on our minds – even while eating! We analyze: if I eat this, what will the impact be? Will I gain fat? Will my weight increase? Because of this, we can't even indulge in the foods we crave."

"I love junk food – especially pizza! Everyone knows that. But I still can't eat it freely. Even when I'm not actively training, I crave it, but I restrain myself, thinking, 'If I eat this, how will tomorrow’s training session go?' I have to maintain my weight, specifically keeping it at 50 kg. It's incredibly challenging – training and maintaining that weight. So, even when I desire something, I have to resist and tell myself, 'Not now, focus on the competition first,'" she concluded.

Mirabai's impressive list of accomplishments includes an Olympic silver medal, a gold and a silver at the World Championships, two golds and a silver at the Commonwealth Games, and a bronze at the Asian Championships, highlighting her dedication and perseverance in the demanding sport of weightlifting.