NEW DELHI, July 25: Her Asian Games participation is in doubt due to a lower back problem, but world champion and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu says the injury is not as bad as first thought and she would need just two weeks of training to be competition ready.
Mirabai had complained of discomfort in her lower back in May. The injury has since puzzled doctors across the country, who are unable to diagnose the cause.
�I am confident that in two weeks I can prepare well for the Asian Games,� Mirabai told PTI.
�The pain started around May 25. I travelled to several places including Delhi and Mumbai for treatment but the doctors are not able to diagnose what exactly the injury is. All tests have come back normal, the X-rays also don�t show anything,� she added.
But with less than a month to go for the continental showpiece, to be held in Indonesia from August 18, the ace weightlifter says the pain is subsiding.
�The treatment prescribed is working, in the past two days the pain has been less. Within 2-3 weeks if the pain continues to lessen, I will be able to lift weights.�
The doctors have advised Mirabai, who competes in the 48kg category, to refrain from lifting heavy weights.
The world champion is currently at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala, where she is limiting herself to just upper body training.
�I am in Patiala with everyone else in the camp, because we thought if I get treated here I can resume weightlifting as soon as the pain subsides. I am just concentrating on bodybuilding, and strengthening my upper body,� she said. � PTI
