Ningbo (China), Oct 29 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Gyaneshwari Yadav finished a creditable eighth in the women’s 53kg event at the IWF World Championships here on Thursday while star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu withdrew from the competition due to a back issue.
The 23-year-old from Chhattisgarh, Gyaneshwari heaved a total of 198kg (88kg+110kg) to top Group C. She eventually finished ahead of several lifters competing in the B as well as A categories.
Had she not missed two lifts — one each in the snatch and clean and jerk — Gyaneshwari, an Asian Championship silver medallist 53kg weight class, could have improved her personal best of 199kg and finished higher.
Chanu, meanwhile, was set to make her debut in the 53kg category. She had been placed in Group B with an entry total of 200kg but pulled out due to back pain.
China’s Zhang Haiqin won the title with an effort of 221kg (98kg+123kg).
American Eleanor Ulrey clinched the silver medal after heaving 220kg (98kg+122kg) while North Korean So Hyon Kim bagged the bronze with a total effort of 214kg (91kg+123kg).
Notably, as many as seven athletes lifted 90kg or more in the snatch section, a mark Chanu has been striving to achieve for over six years.
At the World Championships, Group A comprises lifters with the highest declared entry totals — the combined weight they intend to lift in the snatch and clean and jerk — while Groups B, C and D feature athletes with progressively lower entry totals.
The World Championships is one of six events in the first period of the Olympic qualification system for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
(PTI News)
