Mirabai need not push for third consecutive CWG gold, says coach Vijay Sharma

Mirabai’s coach, Vijay Sharma, has said she need not push for a third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold and that the Commonwealth event will serve mainly as preparation for the Asian Games. ‘The CWG will be like a practice event before the Asian Games, her main target is medalling at the Asian Games’ said Vijay Sharma.

Vijay Sharma delivered the remarks about Mirabai’s competitive priorities ahead of the upcoming international calendar. The comments framed the Commonwealth Games as a preparatory stop rather than the primary objective for the weightlifter. By stressing the Asian Games as the principal target, Sharma signalled a strategic emphasis on peaking at that tournament. His assessment places greater value on securing a medal at the Asian Games than on pursuing a third straight Commonwealth crown.

Sharma’s position underlines a conservative approach to Mirabai’s competition schedule, limiting the need to chase another CWG title at all costs. He described the Commonwealth Games as an opportunity to fine-tune performance and assess readiness in a competitive setting. The coach’s remarks suggested that training and recovery plans will be oriented toward maximising her prospects at the Asian Games. That calibration of priorities reflects a focus on long-term goals rather than immediate repeat success.

The coach reiterated that the immediate aim for Mirabai is to be in medal contention at the Asian Games. By treating the Commonwealth Games as preparatory, Sharma implied that experimental lifts or measured effort levels might be acceptable in the short term. His comments conveyed a preference for safeguarding the athlete’s form and ensuring she arrives at the Asian Games in optimal shape. This strategy prioritises a major continental result over another title in the Commonwealth cycle.

Sharma’s public statement clarifies the rationale guiding Mirabai’s competitive planning for the season. Rather than committing to an all-out defence of a consecutive Commonwealth title, the team will reportedly align training intensity and competition choices with the Asian Games timeline. The coach’s view frames the CWG as part of a broader preparation plan that culminates at the Asian Games.

Vijay Sharma’s message sets expectations for Mirabai’s campaign: the Commonwealth Games will be used to prepare, while the Asian Games remain the ultimate target for medalling. That prioritisation will shape how she approaches upcoming competitions and how her coaching team manages her efforts across events.