India’s campaign at the World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo suffered a setback after Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu withdrew from the women’s 53kg competition following a back sprain during warm-up.
The injury interrupted her much-anticipated appearance in the heavier weight category, while compatriot Gyaneshwari Yadav finished eighth overall with a combined lift of 198kg. Mirabai Chanu’s return to the international weightlifting stage in a new weight category was expected to be one of the key talking points at the World Championships. However, the Indian weightlifter was forced to pull out of the women’s 53kg event after experiencing discomfort in her back during the warm-up session on Thursday.
The 31-year-old reportedly suffered the sprain while preparing for the competition in Ningbo. With the injury affecting her readiness to lift, she opted against taking part in the event. The decision brings an early end to her campaign at the championships, with her immediate recovery now taking priority. The withdrawal was particularly significant because this was meant to be Chanu’s first appearance in the 53kg category at the World Championships.
She had been placed in Group B with an entry total of 200kg, but the back problem prevented her from taking the platform. Her move to the heavier category is part of her preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, following changes to the Olympic weight categories.
Chanu, who won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the 49kg category, has remained one of India’s leading names in international weightlifting. She also claimed silver at the 2026 Asian Games, making her transition to 53kg an important development as she works towards another Olympic campaign. The World Championships in Ningbo are among the events forming the first phase of the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
With the qualification process underway, the competition was an important opportunity for Chanu to assess herself against the leading lifters in her new category. Her withdrawal means that assessment will have to wait. While Chanu’s absence was a setback for India, Gyaneshwari Yadav delivered a competitive performance in the women’s 53kg category to finish eighth overall. The 23-year-old from Chhattisgarh recorded a combined total of 198kg, lifting 88kg in the snatch and 110kg in the clean and jerk.
Her effort placed her at the top of Group C and ahead of several competitors from the higher Groups A and B in the final standings. However, Gyaneshwari could have potentially improved her overall position had she converted two missed attempts, one in each discipline. The Asian Championships silver medallist came close to surpassing her personal best of 199kg but was unable to add further weight to her final tally.
The overall podium was led by China’s Zhang Haiqin, who claimed the world title with a total of 221kg, comprising 98kg in the snatch and 123kg in the clean and jerk. American Eleanor Ulrey secured silver with 220kg (98kg+122kg), while North Korea’s So Hyon Kim took bronze with 214kg (91kg+123kg).
The competition also highlighted the strength of the field in the snatch discipline, with seven lifters managing to lift at least 90kg. This benchmark is particularly relevant to Chanu, who has been working towards consistently reaching that mark for several years. For India, Mirabai Chanu’s withdrawal is undoubtedly a disappointing development, particularly with her debut in the 53kg category carrying considerable significance ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
However, the immediate priority will be assessing the injury and ensuring that she returns to competition without compromising her long-term preparations. The transition to a new weight category brings its own technical and physical challenges. Chanu’s experience and international pedigree remain valuable assets, but the 53kg division presents a fresh competitive test.
Gyaneshwari Yadav’s eighth-place finish, meanwhile, offers another Indian perspective in the category, with her 198kg total demonstrating her ability to compete against an international field. With the Olympic qualification cycle underway, India’s focus will now be on Chanu’s recovery and the next opportunities for both lifters to strengthen their campaigns.
