Mirabai Chanu pulls-out of Asian Games to recover for Olympic-qualifiers
World Champion weightlifter Mirabai Chanu today pulled out of the Asian Games after failing to recover from a lower back injury, which is yet to be fully diagnosed. The decision comes in the wake of national coach Vijay Sharma's recommendation that the Commonwealth gold-medalist must pull out of Jakarta event from August 18 to be fit for the Olympic qualifiers later this year.
Chanu suffering from an unidentified lower back problem
The reigning CWG champion is struggling with an unidentified lower-back problem since May and is yet to begin full-fledged weight training. When the pain subsided last week, Chanu traveled to Mumbai to get treated and resume training. However, the 23-year-old felt discomfort again, prompting Sharma to recommend to the federation that she pull out to avoid aggravating the injury ahead of the Olympic qualifiers.
Chanu's absence from Asian Games, a huge setback for India
Chanu's absence from the upcoming Asian Games comes as a huge setback for India as she was considered one of the strong contenders for a gold medal. "The Olympic qualifiers event is more important than the Asian Games," Sharma had said. The World Championship, scheduled to be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan from November 1, will be the first Olympic qualifying event this year.
