As she flipped some omelettes for the trainees at her basecamp, a wave of nostalgia washed over Mirabai Chanu. From the time she was their age, Mirabai said looking at the 13 and 14-year-olds, pain had been her constant companion. Only companion, many times.

Mirabai wasn’t just talking about the physical struggles, which have been many. The 31-year-old’s team, led by coach Vijay Sharma has somehow kept her fragile body, broken and torn at various joints and tissues, together. That morning, she was reflecting on the deep, lingering psychological pain her previous two appearances on the big stage had left.

Last year, Mirabai travelled to Paris with the hope of securing a second successive podium finish. It ended in a cruel fourth place, a result of her spending as much time — if not more

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