Mirabai Chanu to lead India at World Weightlifting Championships 2026 in China
Olympic medallist will compete in women's 53kg at Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre from October 27 to November 8.
Mirabai Chanu will spearhead India's campaign at the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships in China, the first of ten qualifying events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The Indian squad includes four women and one man across five categories.
Key takeaways
- Mirabai Chanu will spearhead India's campaign at the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships.
- The event takes place at Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre in China from October 27 to November 8.
- It is the first of ten qualifying competitions for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
- Chanu will compete in the women's 53kg category.
- The Indian squad includes Gyaneshwari Yadav, Usha, Nirupama Devi Seram and Lovepreet Singh.
Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu will spearhead India's campaign at the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships, scheduled from October 27 to November 8 at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre in China, according to ANI via The Economic Times. Lokmat Times reported the same dates and venue.
Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu will spearhead India's campaign
The championships mark the first of ten crucial qualifying competitions for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, making it a pivotal moment for Indian weightlifters, Lokmat Times said. Weightlifters must register three total results in the first qualification period and two in the second, all within the same Olympic weight category, the report added. Their three best results from the first period and two best from the second will determine their Olympic Qualification Ranking, with each kilogram lifted counting as one point.
Mirabai Chanu, now 32, will compete in the women's 53kg category. This move comes as the 49kg division, where she famously won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has been removed from the LA 2028 Olympic program. Her transition to the 53kg class highlights the strategic adjustments athletes must make to remain competitive at the highest level.
The Indian squad for the World Weightlifting Championships 2026 includes a promising mix of talent. In the women's categories, Mirabai Chanu (53kg) is joined by Gyaneshwari Yadav (53kg), Usha (61kg), and Nirupama Devi Seram (61kg). For the men, Lovepreet Singh will compete in the +110kg category, showcasing India's diverse representation in the sport.
More than 500 athletes are expected to participate in Ningbo, vying for qualification spots for Los Angeles 2028, Lokmat Times reported. The competition runs from October 27 to November 8 at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre in China.
Indian squad for the World Weightlifting Championships 2026
Athlete | Category |
|---|---|
Mirabai Chanu | Women's 53kg |
Gyaneshwari Yadav | Women's 53kg |
Usha | Women's 61kg |
Nirupama Devi Seram | Women's 61kg |
Lovepreet Singh | Men's +110kg |
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