Mirabai Chanu Reveals Relentless Focus on Weightlifting, Even During Family Time

Mirabai Chanu, India's celebrated weightlifter, reveals the constant mental pressure of training and weight management, even when she's with her family. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist in the 49kg category is currently focused on preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Championships.

Mirabai Chanu is the newest guest on the Game On podcast.

"We do get some rest, particularly after events like the Asian Games or Olympics. I take some time off too, but then it's back to training. Spending quality time with family is crucial, especially after dedicating so much time to training – it's essential to unwind a bit," Mirabai shared on the "Game On" podcast.

"That aspect is enjoyable, but now it's time to get back to training. Next up is the Commonwealth Championships, which also serves as a qualifier for the Commonwealth Games. Our complete focus is on that, and all our preparations are currently centered around it."

She further added, "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?"

"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."

Mirabai confessed, "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,’"

Mirabai's impressive medal collection includes an Olympic silver, a gold and silver at the World Championships, two golds and a silver at the Commonwealth Games, and a bronze at the Asian Championships.