Mirabai Chanu Reveals Relentless Focus: Weightlifting Demands Dominate Life, Even Family Time

Mirabai Chanu: Training and Weight Concerns Linger Even During Family Time

NEW DELHI - Renowned Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu reveals that the demands of training and maintaining her weight are a constant presence in her life, even when she is with her family. The silver medalist in the 49kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is currently preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Championships.

"We get a little time to rest, especially after events like the Asian Games or Olympics. I took some rest too, but then got back to training. Spending time with family is also very important—especially after giving so much time to training—it’s necessary to relax a little," Mirabai shared on Game On, a podcast series.

"That part was good, but now it's time to face training again. Up next is the Commonwealth Championships, which will also act as a qualifier for the Commonwealth Games. So, our full focus is on that, and all our preparations are currently geared toward it."

Mirabai also discussed the challenges of balancing her personal life with her athletic career: "We don’t really get to enjoy traveling. I do go out sometimes, but I can’t really enjoy with my family the way I’d like to—because we have to get back to training. We’ve already given so much time to it, so we have to think about how to recover, how to maintain ourselves... these things are always on my mind. I keep thinking: when should I restart training? Will I be able to perform like I did before?"

The mental aspect of maintaining her weight is particularly challenging. "So honestly, we're always thinking about training—even while eating! We think: if I eat this, what effect will it have? Will I gain fat? Will my weight go up? Because of this, we can’t even eat what we want to."

She confessed her love for junk food, especially pizza, but acknowledged the sacrifices she must make. "I love junk food—especially pizza! Everyone knows that. But I still can’t eat it. Even when I’m not training, I really feel like eating it, but I stop myself and think, ‘If I eat this, how will tomorrow’s training go?’ I have to maintain my weight, especially keeping it at 50 kg. It’s very tough—training and staying at that weight. So, even when I want something, I have to stop myself and say, ‘Not now, focus on the competition first,’" she said.

Mirabai Chanu's impressive medal collection includes an Olympic silver, 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.