Tokyo Olympics silver medallist lifted a total of (88 snatch +111kg in clean and jerk) 199 kilos. The gold medal went to China's Zhihui Hou, who lifted a total of 206 kgs, her third and final lift of 117 creating a new Olympic record. Hou pipped Romania's Valentina Mihaela Cambei to silver. Valentina was the only lifter not to miss a single lift but her total of 205, that included 112 in clean and jerk, was not enough to defeat the powerful Chinese.
For the third spot, it was a contest between Mirabai and Thailand's 24- year-old Surodchana Khambao. Both had lifted a best of 88 in snatch but a 112 in clean and jerk made the difference as Mirabai failed to lift an ambitious 117 in her third and final lift.
Mirabai had lifted a total of 202 kgs (87 kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk) to finish second at Tokyo 2020. She had said that "anything between 205-207" could fetch a medal in Paris but "at least 90 kgs" in snatch is a must. She equalled her personal best of 88 in snatch at Paris 2024.
Romania's Valentina led at the end of the snatch round with a best lift of 93 kilos. She looked the strongest in the category, improving with every attempt. Valentina started with 89 and then improved to 91 putting pressure on China's Zhihui Hou, whose best was 89 that came in the second attempt.
Mirabai looked confident in snatch. Her team kept its ambitions within limits. The three-time Olympian started with 85, failed in second attempt with 88 but remained in contention with a successful third lift of 88. Thailand's Surodchana Khambao kept pace with Mirabai with a best of 88 (third attempt) even as Chinese Taipei, Dominican Republic and USA remained in fray a kilo away from each other.
Mirabai's failure to win a medal left India with three medals, all from shooting. Neeraj Chopra will play in the javelin finals on Thursday and the men's hockey team will clash with Spain for a bronze.