Mirabai Chanu Celebrates Historic Silver Medal at Asian Games 2026

Mirabai Chanu, the celebrated Indian weightlifter, has finally achieved her long-awaited dream by winning a silver medal in the women's 49 kg category at the Asian Games 2026. After years of hard work and dedication, she expressed her joy and pride in this significant accomplishment. Chanu's journey to the podium was marked by intense preparation and overcoming challenges, especially following a demanding competition schedule. With this medal, she joins an elite group of Indian weightlifters, further solidifying her legacy in the sport. Discover more about her inspiring journey and India's performance at the Games.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 23, 2026, 16:21 IST

A Moment of Pride

Indian weightlifting sensation Mirabai Chanu expressed her immense joy and pride after clinching a silver medal in the women's 49 kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on Wednesday, marking the end of her long wait for an Asian Games medal.

A Dream Realized

In an interview following her podium finish, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist shared that this achievement fulfilled a long-held aspiration. "I am extremely happy. This day has been a long time coming. Finally, I have secured a silver medal, and I feel proud of myself. My dream has materialized," Chanu stated.

Overcoming Challenges

Chanu acknowledged the intense pressure of competing at the Asian Games, especially after a series of demanding competitions. She emphasized her focused preparation aimed at winning a medal. "The Asian Games hold significant importance for me. Competing back-to-back is quite challenging. After the Commonwealth Games, I had just one month to prepare. Winning at least one medal in the Asian Games was my goal, and I trained diligently to achieve this," she explained.

Celebrating Success

When asked about her plans to celebrate this remarkable achievement, Chanu expressed her desire to simply relish the moment after years of anticipation. "I am unsure where to begin. This day has been a long time coming, and I want to celebrate it fully," she remarked.

Path to Silver

Chanu secured her silver medal with a total lift of 198 kg, successfully completing all three of her snatch attempts at 83 kg, 85 kg, and 87 kg. In the clean and jerk, she started with 107 kg and successfully lifted 111 kg in her second attempt, culminating in her total of 198 kg. North Korea's Ri Song Gum took home the gold with a total of 215 kg, while Wijayana earned the bronze.

A Distinguished Career

This medal marks a significant milestone for Chanu, who had narrowly missed the podium at Hangzhou 2023 due to an injury that prevented her from completing her final clean and jerk attempt, leaving her in fourth place. The 32-year-old entered the Aichi-Nagoya Games after winning gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She is a three-time Commonwealth Games champion and won an Olympic silver at Tokyo 2020.

Historic Achievement

With her first Asian Games medal, Chanu joins the ranks of Karnam Malleshwari as the second Indian weightlifter to earn medals at the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Asian Championships, and Commonwealth Championships.

India's Performance at the Games

As of the latest updates, India has secured a total of 11 medals, placing the nation 13th in the overall standings, while China leads with an impressive 77 medals.