Gyaneshwari Finishes Eighth As Mirabai Chanu Withdraws

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Gyaneshwari Yadav finished eighth in the women’s 53kg category at the IWF World Championships in Ningbo, China, on Thursday, while India’s star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu withdrew from the competition due to a back issue.

The 23-year-old from Chhattisgarh lifted a combined 198kg, with 88kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk, to top Group C. Her total was enough to place her ahead of several lifters from the higher-ranked Groups A and B.

Missed Attempts Cost Gyaneshwari A Better Finish

Gyaneshwari, an Asian Championships silver medallist in the 53kg category, missed two attempts — one each in snatch and clean and jerk.

A successful completion of both lifts could have helped her surpass her personal best of 199kg and secure a higher position in the overall standings.

Chanu, meanwhile, was scheduled to make her debut in the 53kg category. Placed in Group B with an entry total of 200kg, she pulled out of the event due to back pain.

China Win Gold In Women’s 53kg

China’s Zhang Haiqin claimed the world title with a total of 221kg (98kg in snatch and 123kg in clean and jerk).

American Eleanor Ulrey took silver with 220kg (98kg+122kg), while North Korea’s So Hyon Kim secured bronze with 214kg (91kg+123kg).

Seven lifters managed to lift at least 90kg in the snatch, a benchmark Chanu has been working towards for more than six years.

The World Championships is among six events in the first phase of the Olympic qualification system for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.