Eyeing Tokyo 2020, Indian lifters begin campaign at Asian Weightlifting Championship

Former world champion Mirabai Chanu will look to put the best foot forward to strengthen her chances of Olympic qualification when she spearheads the Indian challenge at the Asian Weightlifting Championship, starting here Saturday.

India's brightest medal prospect, Mirabai, who jumped from 48kg to 49 kg following the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) rejig of weight categories, has made a strong comeback from a lower back injury that kept her out of action for nearly nine months.

In February, the 24-year-old lifted 82 kg in snatch and 110 kg in clean and jerk to clinch the gold medal at the EGAT Cup in Thailand, which was the first of the six Olympic qualifying events for Mirabai.

In order to ensure a spot on the podium here, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist will have to significantly better that performance.

Thai weightlifter Chayuttra Pramongkhol, who is currently embroiled in a dope scandal, had lifted 209kgs (89+120) in the 49kg category to clinch the gold medal .