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This was the only medal that she did not have in her stellar trophy cabinet. And things didn’t change in Hangzhou, with a pain in her thigh during the warm-up stopping Mirabai Chanu from pushing harder.
Chanu, one of India’s greatest athletes, has had a tough few months. With the home situation in Manipur extremely worrying, she was seen appealing on social media for things to get better. When she was training in the USA in August, she had a pain in her thigh. After Ultrasounds and treatment, she managed the pain. Between her and Vijay Sharma, her coach, it was decided to go ahead with the Asian Games, which meant a lot to her from the start. “She was determined to participate and do well for India,” said Sharma. “And with Mira, it is always about mental strength. And in the lead-up, she was looking good, which made me hopeful.
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“However, when she was getting warmed up today, she felt pain. But she pleaded with me to let her go ahead. And in such a situation, you listen to your heart more than anything.”
Mira tried hard. That’s what sport is all about. Despite the pain, she pushed her body and tried to get into the medal bracket. But with the Chinese and the North Korean and Thai doing well, it wasn’t to be. Against physical adversity, she could only do so much and no more.
This is what sport is all about. Pain and challenges. Mira tried today and failed. But then, that’s what we want to see. Effort. She will get better again, and be a force to reckon with in Paris. “We will go to Mumbai on October 3, and get her checked,” said Sharma. “We are determined to address this and start to get ready for Paris.”
All of us will be waiting. And knowing Mira, she will too. She won’t rest easy till she sets the record straight.
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