Mirabai Chanu Makes History with Third Gold at Commonwealth Games 2026

Historic Gold for Mirabai Chanu

Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu made headlines by winning the first gold medal for India at the Commonwealth Games 2026, held in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 26. Just hours after Rishikant Singh secured a silver medal, Mirabai delivered a remarkable performance.

Although she faced a challenging start by missing her initial lift, the seasoned athlete rebounded impressively, lifting a total of 190kg, which was 22kg more than Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo Nyong, who finished second. This victory marked Mirabai's third consecutive gold in the women's 48kg category, making her the first Indian to achieve this milestone.

As the reigning champion from the 2022 Birmingham Games, she added another significant achievement to her illustrious career, shedding tears of joy while standing on the podium as the national anthem played.

Mirabai's Sacrifices Revealed

After her momentous win, an emotional Mirabai Chanu spoke to reporters, revealing the physical challenges she faced during her weight management. Despite her exhaustion, she shared that she had not eaten for two days, emphasizing the sacrifices athletes endure to maintain their weight and excel.

"Hurry up, I haven't eaten anything for two days," she told the reporters, highlighting the rigorous demands of her sport.

Mirabai's commitment to staying within the 48kg limit required her to undergo strict training and fasting, showcasing the dedication necessary in weightlifting to achieve such remarkable success.

The Challenge of Weight Management

Discussing her weight management struggles, Mirabai noted that competing in the 48kg category demanded greater discipline compared to the 49kg category, where she had more dietary flexibility. She indicated that this would be her last Commonwealth Games in the 48kg category.

"I want to express my gratitude to everyone in India for their prayers. Those were tears of joy. Competing in the 48kg category is a real battle for weight control. Maintaining that weight is a significant challenge," she explained.

Mirabai emphasized the mental aspect of her journey, stating, "I focused on my diet and kept reassuring myself that I could achieve this."

Mirabai's Legacy

In addition to her three Commonwealth Games gold medals, Mirabai Chanu also earned a silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and secured a gold and two silvers at the World Championships, solidifying her status as one of India's most accomplished weightlifters.