Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu seals Tokyo Olympics berth

Mirabai Chanu is an Indian weightlifter and a national champion. The three-time gold-medalist has sealed her berth for Tokyo Olympics, while it would be her second appearance in the global competition.

Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has sealed her spot in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. She would be competing in the 49 kg category, the International Weightlifting Federation confirmed on Saturday.

Chanu, a three-time gold medalist, won the bronze during the Asian Championship in Tashkent this April, while she also scripted a world record in the clean and jerk category. The 26-year-old Manipuri has qualified, based on her IWF's Absolute Ranking list, where she is ranked second in the 49kg sector.

"Many congratulations to #TOPSAthlete weightlifter @mirabai_chanu who has qualified for #Tokyo2020 after @iwfnet published its Absolute Ranking list where she is placed 2nd in the women's 49 kg," said Sports Authority of India in a tweet.

Chanu would be competing in her second Olympics, with her first being in Rio 2016. She had a disappointing tenure in the same, as she managed to finish sixth in the snatch while failing to lift in any attempt in Clean & Jerk.

As for the men, Jeremy Lalrinnunga (67 kg) lost his continental quota to Hak Myeongmok of Korea but can still make it. While China's Hou Zhihui is ranked on the top in the 49 kg, the final list of the same is expected to be released on June 25. The IWF suggests that the top eight in the 14 weight categories would compete in the Olympics.

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