Archive · 4 Nov 2025
Mirabai Chanu to move up to 53kg class after 49kg removed for 2028 Olympics
Mirabai Chanu, a star Indian weightlifter who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the 49kg category, will have to change her weight class for the 2028 Olympics.
This is because the 49kg category is being removed for those Games.
Her coach thinks moving up to the 53kg class will be good for her, as cutting weight to 49kg was very hard on her body.
She will continue competing in her current weight until the Asian Games next year.
After that, she will have two years to slowly gain muscle and adjust to the heavier 53kg category to get ready for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
This change is part of a larger decision by the Olympic committee to have more weightlifting events.
Mirabai Chanu's Olympic weight class of 49kg has been removed for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
She will transition to the 53kg weight class to compete in the 2028 Olympics.
Chief national coach Vijay Sharma believes bulking up will benefit Chanu, easing the taxing process of cutting weight.
Chanu will continue in the 48kg/49kg category until next year's Asian Games before beginning her transition.
The International Olympic Committee's decision to increase weightlifting events led to the restructuring of weight categories.
- Who
- Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and her coach Vijay Sharma
- What
- Mirabai Chanu's current Olympic weight class (49kg) has been removed for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, prompting a move to the 53kg category.
- When
- The change will take effect after the Asian Games next year, with a two-year transition period leading up to the 2028 Olympics.
- Where
- The 2028 Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles.
- Why
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to increase the total number of weightlifting events to 12, resulting in a restructuring of weight classes, including the removal of the 49kg category.
- Athlete
- Mirabai Chanu
- Current Olympic Weight Class
- 49kg
- New Olympic Weight Class
- 53kg
- Event
- 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
- Reason for Change
- 49kg weight class removed by IOC for 2028 Games
- Timeline for Change
- After Asian Games next year, gradual transition over two years