Former world champion Mirabai Chanu made a splendid return to the weightlifting arena, setting a new world record in clean and jerk while also bettering her own national record en route winning a bronze medal at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent on Saturday. Chanu also confirmed her Tokyo Olympic spot as she has now competed in the six mandatory qualifying events.
The 26-year-old Indian lifted 86kg in snatch and a world record of 119kg in clean and jerk for a total of 205kg.
While the earlier clean and jerk world record was 118kg, Chanu's personal best total in 49kg was 203kg (88kg+115kg) at the National Championship in February last year.
The gold medal went to Hou Zhihui of China who created a new world record in snatch and total weight with an effort of 213kg (96g+117kg) while her compatriot Jiang Huihua clinched the silver, lifting 207kg (89kg+118kg) in the gold level Olympic qualifier.
Chanu was off to a shaky start as she failed to lift 85kg in her first two snatch attempts. The dimunitive Manipuri then lifted 86kg in her final attempt.
However, she finished fourth best, behind Zhihui (96kg), Huihua (89kg) and Aisah Windy Cantika (87kg) of Indonesia.
Chanu began her clean and jerk with a 113kg and then lifted 117kg successfully for her personal best.
The Indian then bettered her own performance, hoisting 119kg, more than twice here body weight.