As we all know that many teams has withdraw from Tokyo Olympics this year, due to increasing corona cases worldwide and for safety for their players. In this queue , North Korea also included. With North Korea withdrawal , India's weightlifting coach Vijay Sharma said that he is happy that North Korea won't be competing against them at the Tokyo Olympics but also made it clear that they are focussed on beating the Chinese at the showpiece event this year.
Here it is to be noted that North Korea on Monday pulled out from the Summer Games due to the “world public health crisis caused by COVID-19.” Their withdrawal will give a major boost to India's No. 1 medal hope in weightlifting - Mirabai Chanu. Former world champion Chanu currently occupies the fourth place in the women’s 49kg Tokyo Games qualifying rankings. Her nearest rival, Ri Song Gum of North Korea had pipped Chanu to take the bronze medal at the 2019 World Championship by lifting 204kg as against 201kg by the Indian.
However, it is needed to share that Chanu stands to gain if North Korea sticks to its decision of withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics. The latest qualifying rankings feature three Chinese weightlifters in the top five. However, only one of the three Chinese lifters will be able to compete at the Olympics as a nation can send only one athlete per weight category, effectively making Chanu the second best lifter in her category.
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