Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women’s 49kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on Wednesday, earning her maiden Asian Games medal.
Chanu finished with a combined lift of 198 kg. She successfully completed all three of her snatch attempts, lifting 83 kg, 85 kg and 87 kg.
In the clean and jerk, Chanu opened with 107 kg and successfully lifted 111 kg in her second attempt to finish with a total of 198 kg.
North Korea’s Ri Song Gum won the gold medal with a total lift of 215 kg, while Wijayana claimed the bronze.
The silver medal ended India’s 28-year wait for a medal in Asian Games weightlifting and marked another milestone in Chanu’s illustrious career.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Chanu on her achievement, saying her performance would inspire young athletes across the country.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also congratulated the weightlifter, describing her achievement as a landmark moment for Indian weightlifting.
Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha praised Chanu’s determination, resilience and commitment to the sport, saying her achievement would continue to inspire young athletes.
Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan also congratulated Chanu, noting that she had added an Asian Games medal to her decorated career.
Chanu, a Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist and three-time Commonwealth Games champion, had narrowly missed a podium finish at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. An injury had forced her to withdraw from her final clean and jerk attempt, leaving her fourth.
She entered the Aichi-Nagoya Games after winning gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Born in Nongpok Kakching in Manipur, Chanu began formal weightlifting training in 2008. She has since emerged as one of India’s leading weightlifters and has inspired a new generation of athletes in the sport.
