Mirabai Chanu Secures Silver Medal at Asian Games After 12-Year Wait
Mirabai Chanu Achieves Long-Awaited Asian Games Silver
Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has finally filled a significant gap in her impressive collection of accolades, clinching a silver medal in the women's 49kg category at the Asian Games on Wednesday. This achievement comes after 12 years of striving, near misses, and emotional setbacks.
The Tokyo Olympic silver medalist lifted a total of 198kg (88kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk), marking India's first medal in weightlifting at the Asian Games since Karnam Malleswari's silver in 1998.
Chanu expressed her joy, stating, "Winning an Asian Games medal is a dream realized. I have pursued this medal for 12 years, starting from the 2014 Asian Games. My life feels complete now, and I feel incredibly light. This is a dream Asian Games for me."
North Korea's two-time world champion Ri Song Gum showcased her prowess by securing her third consecutive Asian Games title with an impressive total of 215kg (94kg in snatch and 121kg in clean and jerk), breaking world records in the process. Indonesia's Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana took home the bronze with a total of 191kg (88kg in snatch and 103kg in clean and jerk).
Chanu's silver medal adds to her already impressive resume, which includes an Olympic silver, three World Championship medals (including one gold), multiple Commonwealth Games titles, and an Asian Championships bronze.
However, the Asian Games had previously eluded her grasp. She finished ninth in her debut in 2014 and missed the 2018 edition due to a back injury. At the 2023 Hangzhou Games, she narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth due to a hip injury.
This time, there were no such complications in Nagoya. Adorned with gold earrings shaped like Olympic rings, a gift from her mother, and a tri-coloured ribbon in her hair, Chanu approached the platform with a renewed sense of purpose.
She began her snatch series with 83kg, smoothly progressing to 85kg and 87kg, finishing the first half of the competition in third place. In the clean and jerk, she effortlessly lifted 107kg on her first attempt and then successfully heaved 111kg.
With her silver medal secured, she opted not to take her final lift. "I have dreamed of winning an Asian Games medal since I started weightlifting. Various obstacles have arisen before or during the Asian Games, but this time, I have achieved my dream," she remarked.
For Chanu, this medal signifies a brief respite after months of rigorous training. She resumed training the very next day after her gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last month, with her sights set firmly on Nagoya.
"I have yet to decide on my approach for LA 28. The qualification process begins in December. For now, I will relish this medal and then make my plans," she added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Chanu, praising her "determination and consistency" as an inspiration to the nation. He tweeted, "A special Silver for @mirabai_chanu! Congratulations to her on winning the medal in the Women’s 49 kg Weightlifting event. Her determination and consistency continue to inspire the nation. India is proud of her. Best wishes for her future endeavors: PM @narendramodi."