Mirabai Chanu Claims Silver to Secure Maiden Asian Games Weightlifting Medal
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
India’s Mirabai Chanu secured her first Asian Games medal on Wednesday after winning silver in the women’s 49kg weightlifting competition at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist recorded a combined lift of 198kg, including 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk, at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center.
The result also ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal. Karnam Malleswari was the last Indian lifter to reach the podium, winning silver in the women’s 63kg category at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
Chanu had narrowly missed out on a medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she finished fourth after suffering an injury while attempting her final clean and jerk.
Ri Song-gum Sets World Records
North Korea’s reigning world champion Ri Song-gum successfully defended her Asian Games title, winning gold with a record-breaking total of 215kg.
Ri lifted 94kg in the snatch and 121kg in the clean and jerk, with both individual efforts also setting new world records in the 49kg category.
Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana claimed bronze after finishing with a total of 191kg from an 88kg snatch and 103kg clean and jerk.
Chanu completed all three of her snatch attempts successfully, progressing through 83kg, 85kg and 87kg.
She then opened the clean and jerk section with 107kg before successfully lifting 111kg on her second attempt. She did not make a third attempt.
Chanu Completes Major Medal Collection
After the competition, Chanu said she felt pressure but remained confident about securing a medal. She credited her coaches and support staff for helping her meet the expectations surrounding her participation.
The Asian Games had been the only major international event where Chanu had not previously won a medal. She has already collected major honours at the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Championships and Commonwealth Games.
India entered the 2026 Asian Games weightlifting competition with four athletes.
Earlier on Wednesday, Gyaneshwari Yadav finished eighth in the women’s 53kg category after recording a total of 195kg, comprising an 87kg snatch and a 108kg clean and jerk.
India’s remaining competitors are Seram Nirupama Devi in the women’s 61kg category and Harjinder Kaur in the women’s 69kg event.
