Mirabai to lead Indian challenge at Asian Games

Despite ranking ninth in the last edition, Mirabai is the favourite this time to win gold at the Asian Games.

Gold medalist, Chanu Saikhom Mirabai of India competes during the Weightlifting Women's 48kg Final on day one of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre on April 5, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia.

World Champion Saikhom Mirabai Chanu will spearhead the Indian weightlifting challenge in the upcoming Asian Games as the national federation named a five-member team today.

Mirabai, who won gold in the world championships last year and Commonwealth Games in April, will compete in women’s 48kg while Rakhi Halder has been named as the second woman and will take part in 63kg.

The three men are CWG gold medallists Sathish Sivalingam and Ajay Singh (both 77kg) and CWG bronze medalist Vikas Thakur (94kg).

In 2014 Asian Games, India had sent six weightlifters but returned without a medal. Mirabai had finished ninth in her category.

This time though she is the favourite to win gold.