My fight is with myself at the Commonwealth Games: Mirabai Chanu

Commonwealth Games (CWG) gold at Birmingham 2022. CWG has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for lifters from India, and Mira has no qualms about admitting that, even when asked if it is because of the absence of weightlifting powerhouses China and Korea. "Yes, (when compared to other events) the competition in weightlifting is a bit less in CWG, but it's not that the absence of strong weightlifting nations makes it easier for us. Every competition teaches us something," said Mira, as she sat down for a virtual interaction with TimesofIndia.com.It was heartening to see a beaming Mira on the podium in Tokyo last year, especially considering the condition she found herself in after the two-month lockdown in the middle of 2020. It left coach Vijay Sharma worried once training resumed. The shoulders weren't as strong as before and the back not strong enough to lift the weights that Mira found easy before Covid-19 stopped practice.

India's history at the Commonwealth Games

A trip to the USA and an appointment with former American weightlifter-turned-physiotherapist Aaron Horschig did the trick in time for the Tokyo Games, and Mira hasn't looked back since. However, she admits injuries are part and parcel of sports, especially in power and endurance sports like weightlifting. "Fitness-wise, we are always on the edge," said Mira, who holds the clean and jerk (C&J) world record (119kg) in the 49-kg category. The 'Snatch' is the other half of the two-part weightlifting competition. "We can have injuries off and on, sometimes we go in high percentage (of lifting weight), so then there is a threat of injuries. But we are taking care of that. I trained in the USA, worked on the muscles in my body that are weak, how to