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Saturday brought despair for ace Indian weightlifter, Mirabai Chanu, as her aspirations at the Asian Games met a painful halt. Competing in the women's 49kg category, the Olympic medallist sustained an injury, culminating in a fourth-place finish.
The high-stakes competition saw Chanu grappling with the pressures, particularly after a less-than-stellar performance in the snatch segment. She aimed for redemption in the clean and jerk round, setting her sights on a 117kg lift. Success would've clinched her the coveted bronze medal. However, destiny had other plans. Not once, but twice, she was unable to successfully execute the lift. Tragically, on her third and final attempt, Chanu toppled, landing awkwardly on her back. The visual of the champion being assisted off stage, limping, struck a somber chord among spectators and fans alike.
Earlier in the competition, during the snatch segment, Chanu faced challenges lifting 86kg, failing in both her attempts. Her best snatch of the day was 83kg. However, in her final attempt at the 86kg snatch, she found herself unable to push upward from a squat, tumbling forward as the weight bar came crashing down behind her.
To add perspective to her challenging day, six other competitors in her category managed better snatches than Chanu.
It was a day that promised so much for Mirabai Chanu, a beacon of hope in Indian weightlifting. Coming into the event, expectations were sky-high, especially given her decorated profile as an Olympic medalist. However, sports often unfurls unpredictably, and despite her unwavering spirit and determination, the day wasn't to be hers.
While the setback is a bitter pill to swallow, Mirabai Chanu's journey and her undying spirit on the international stage have been an inspiration. The hope now is for her speedy recovery and return, as the sporting fraternity rallies behind one of its brightest stars.
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