Mirabai sureshot for Tokyo, Jeremy also set to qualify

NEWDELHI: Weightlifting’s Olympic qualifying schedule has gone haywire due to the Covid-19 pandemic but India’s Mirabai Chanu is a sure-shot for the Tokyo Games, if they are held, while young Jeremy Lalrinnunga is also set to make the cut for the mega sporting event.

Former world champion Chanu, currently is in third place in the women’s 49kg world rankings following the cancellation of the Asian Championships, the last Olympics qualifying event of the continent due to the coronavirus outbreak. She has taken part in five out of the six mandated events in the new qualification rules.

In a meeting of the International Weightlifting Federation executive board via video conferencing on March 17-18, the world body had made some recommendations to the International Olympic Committee regarding the Olympic qualifying events.

One of the key recommendations, sources said, is to close the qualification process as all the five continental championships have been cancelled.

“Mirabai is certain to qualify; she is currently at third spot in the world rankings. The top eight from the world rankings after the end of the qualification period automatically qualify for Tokyo,” Indian Weightlifting Federation secretary-general Sahdev Yadav said.

Regarding the 17-year-old Jeremey (men’s 67kg), Yadav said, “Jeremy is at the top of Asian rankings and if the IWF recommendations are accepted by the IOC, he will also qualify.”