Posing a setback to India's medal prospects, Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has pulled out of the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia citing back problem.
India's weightlifting coach Vijay Sharma had expressed his doubts about Chanu's participation in the Asian Games next week, and had recommended that she pull out of the event.
Chanu wrote to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) of her decision and that this would ensure she is fit in time for the Olympic qualifiers later this year. IWF Secretary General Sachdev Yadav has confirmed the same.
The World Championship, scheduled to be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan from November 1, will be the first Olympic qualifying event this year.
Chanu, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and world champion, has been struggling with a lower back problem, which is believed to be a small ligament tear. Chanu was expected to get back to training last week, but coach Sharma said he didn't want to risk aggravating the injury when the pain failed to subside. Chanu is yet to begin full-fledged weight training.
Chanu was considered one of the strongest contenders for a gold medal for India in the 18th edition of the Asian Games.
Last year in November, Chanu had clinched India's first gold at the World Championship in 22 years after lifting 194 kg (85kg + 109kg) at Anaheim, USA. This year, at the Commonwealth Games held in Australia's Gold Coast, Chanu won a gold medal by lifting a personal best of 196kg (86kg + 110kg), a national record.
The Asian Games are scheduled to be held from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta and Palembang.