New Delhi: Her Asian Games participation is in doubt due to a lower back problem, but World Champion and CWG gold medallist weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu said Wednesday the injury is not as bad as first thought and she would need just two weeks of training to be competition ready.
“I am confident that in two weeks I can prepare well for the Asian Games,” Mirabai said. “The pain started around May 25. I travelled to several places including Delhi and Mumbai for treatment but the doctors could not diagnose what exactly the injury is. All tests have come back normal, the X-rays also don’t show anything,” she added.
But with less than a month to go for the continental showpiece at Jakarta the weightlifter said the pain is subsiding.
“…the treatment prescribed is working, in the past two days the pain has decreased. Within 2-3 weeks if the pain continues to lessen, I will be able to lift weights,” informed the lifter.
The World Champion is currently at NIS, Patiala, where she is limiting herself to just upper body training.
“I am in Patiala because I can start lifting weights as soon as the pain subsides. Currently, I am just concentrating on bodybuilding, and strengthening my upper body,” informed Mirabai.
In November, the Manipuri had clinched India’s first gold at the World Championship in 22 years with a lift of 194kg (85kg+109kg) at Anaheim, USA. She followed it up with a gold at the Gold Coast CWG with a personal best of 196kg (86kg+110kg).
Mirabai informed she has also requested the Sports Ministry to install CCTV cameras in her room and training hall as she feared her food could be spiked to implicate her in a doping scandal.
“I am eager to compete at the Asiad because the competition
will be good. I am very optimistic as the pain is subsiding”Mirabai Chanu