Mirabai Chanu Motivates Indian Weightlifting Team Ahead of Commonwealth Games 2026

Chanu's Encouragement for the Team

Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu has urged the Indian weightlifting team to maintain a calm demeanor as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow. The weightlifting competitions will occur between July 26 and 30 at the SEC Armadillo.

Chanu's Competition Category

Chanu, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, is set to compete in the women's 48kg category, where she has previously achieved notable success internationally. The Indian weightlifting squad for the Commonwealth Games 2026 also features Gyaneshwari Yadav (53kg), Bindyarani Devi (58kg), Harjinder Kaur (69kg), Sanjana (77kg), and Martina Devi (+86kg) in the women's division. The men's team includes Rishikanta Singh (60kg), M Raja (65kg), Ajaya Babu (79kg), Dilbag Singh (94kg), and Lovepreet Singh (+110kg).

Advice to Fellow Athletes

In a recent interview, Chanu recognized that the pressure of competing, especially for newcomers, can be intense due to high medal expectations. She emphasized the importance of focusing on training and performing well on competition day. Chanu stated, "I encourage the entire team to stay relaxed. Everyone experiences pressure, particularly first-time competitors. With the expectations for more medals from India, the pressure is palpable, but we will strive to set it aside and perform as we have trained. A good performance can lead to medals for everyone in weightlifting. However, the outcome on the day remains uncertain. We will see how it unfolds, but the team is well-prepared and ready to give their all."

Competing with Confidence

Chanu advises new athletes to approach the Commonwealth Games as they would any other competition, minimizing additional pressure. She encourages them to trust their training and maintain the same mindset they would have at World or Asian Championships. "Some athletes are new and lack extensive international experience. I remind them that the Games are similar to other championships. If they perceive them as different, it will only increase their stress. We must compete as we do at every event, whether it's the Commonwealth, World, or Asian Championships. There's no need for extra thoughts or actions. I encourage them to stay relaxed and focus on their performance," she explained.

Chanu's Impressive Achievements

Chanu is one of India's most accomplished weightlifters, having secured three Commonwealth Games medals: gold in Gold Coast 2018 (48kg), gold in Birmingham 2022 (49kg), and silver in Glasgow 2014 (48kg). She is also a former world champion and an Olympic silver medalist from Tokyo 2020. The 31-year-old last competed at the national championships in Modinagar in February, where she won the title in the 48kg category. However, she missed the Asian Weightlifting Championships in May due to recovery from a shoulder injury sustained earlier this year.

Key Members of the Indian Weightlifting Team

Chanu will be joined by fellow Birmingham 2022 medalists Bindyarani Devi and Harjinder Kaur, competing in the women's 58kg and 69kg categories, respectively. Both athletes earned silver medals in the last edition of the Games. In the men's category, Commonwealth Games 2022 bronze medalist Lovepreet Singh will lead India's efforts in the +110kg division.

India's Strong Performance in Weightlifting

Rishikanta, Ajaya, and Dilbag will be making their Commonwealth Games debuts in Glasgow. India has a robust history in Commonwealth Games weightlifting, consistently ranking among the top nations in recent editions, including Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, where Indian lifters collectively won nine medals, five of which were gold.