Mirabai Chanu, Gyaneshwari Yadav Entered in 53kg as India Name Seven Lifters for Weightlifting World Championships

The Ningbo championships from October 27 to November 8 will open the LA28 Olympic qualification campaign, with India’s preliminary entries featuring two lifters in the women’s 53kg category.

India’s weightlifting campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will take an important step forward at the 2026 IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China, where seven Indian lifters feature in the preliminary entry list dated October 8.

The entries include Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu and emerging international performer Gyaneshwari Yadav, both listed in the women’s 53kg category. Their presence in the same weight class is one of the most significant talking points for India ahead of a championship that will serve as the first Olympic qualification event on the road to LA28.

The competition will take place at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre from October 27 to November 8, bringing together the world’s leading weightlifters. The International Weightlifting Federation expects participation from more than 100 national federations, making it a major test of international strength and depth. The IWF has confirmed the championship’s role as the opening qualification event for the 2028 Olympics.

Mirabai Chanu and Gyaneshwari Yadav headline India’s women’s entries

The women’s 53kg category presents an interesting situation for Indian weightlifting, with Mirabai and Gyaneshwari both appearing on the entry list.

Mirabai, one of India’s most accomplished weightlifters, has built her reputation through performances on the biggest international stages. Her inclusion in the 53kg category is notable as the sport moves through a qualification cycle in which athletes must establish themselves in the relevant Olympic weight divisions.

Gyaneshwari brings a different dimension to the Indian challenge. She has made significant progress in recent international competitions and demonstrated her potential at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar, where she won silver in the snatch and bronze in the overall total in the 53kg category. Having both lifters entered in the same division provides India with two athletes to watch, although the preliminary list alone does not establish whether both will ultimately compete. Final participation and eligibility remain subject to the relevant IWF procedures.

The entry list records Mirabai’s entry total at 200kg and Gyaneshwari’s at 195kg. These figures provide an initial reference point, but they should not be treated as predictions of their final performances or medal chances. Actual competition totals, athlete readiness and the strength of the international field will determine the outcome.

The Indian contingent listed for Ningbo spans three women’s weight categories and two men’s divisions. In the men’s competition, Charu Pesi is entered in the 65kg category with an entry total of 300kg, while Lovepreet Singh features in the 110kg-plus division with a listed total of 395kg.

The women’s entries extend beyond the 53kg category. Nirupama Devi and Usha are both listed in the 61kg division, with entry totals of 211kg and 196kg respectively. Harjinder Kaur is entered in the 69kg category with a listed total of 212kg.

India’s preliminary entry list

The list is preliminary, dated October 8, 2026, and should not automatically be interpreted as the final competition roster.

Why Ningbo matters for the LA28 Olympics

The World Championships carry importance beyond the medals available in China. As the first Olympic qualification event in the LA28 cycle, the competition will provide an early opportunity for lifters to begin their qualification campaigns under the new Olympic framework. For Indian weightlifting, the challenge will involve more than producing competitive totals. Athletes will need to manage the pressure of an international championship, execute their attempts consistently in both the snatch and clean and jerk, and position themselves favourably within the qualification process.

The event will also provide a clearer indication of how Indian lifters compare with leading international opponents in their respective divisions.

The preliminary entry totals offer an initial snapshot of the field, but they do not establish medal positions. In weightlifting, a successful competition depends on making lifts when it matters, managing attempt selection and maintaining consistency across both disciplines.

For Mirabai and Gyaneshwari, the women’s 53 kg category will attract particular attention because of their shared entry. Their performances in Ningbo could offer important insights into India’s prospects in the division as the LA28 qualification campaign develops.

The remaining five entries will also be looking to make their mark across the men’s 65 kg and 110 kg-plus categories and the women’s 61 kg and 69 kg divisions. With the championship scheduled to run from October 27 to November 8, India’s final selections and the athletes’ preparation will be important developments to follow in the coming weeks.

Ningbo is the opening stage of a much longer Olympic journey. For India’s seven preliminary entrants, the immediate objective will be to deliver their best performances on the world stage and establish a strong foundation for the road to Los Angeles 2028.