"Asian Games medal was missing from my tally": Mirabai Chanu wins historic silver
Mirabai Chanu ends India's 28-year weightlifting drought at the Asian Games with a historic silver medal in the 49kg category.
India's weightlifting superstar Mirabai Chanu has finally achieved a long-standing career milestone by clinching a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games. Competing in the women’s 49kg event at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Centre, Chanu’s performance ended a staggering 28-year medal drought for Indian weightlifting at the Asian Games.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist delivered a composed performance, finishing with a total lift of 198kg. Her successful lifts included 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk.
A historic achievement for Indian weightlifting
With this podium finish, Chanu has joined the legendary Karnam Malleshwari as only the second Indian weightlifter to possess a complete collection of major international medals. Her trophy cabinet now includes honors from the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Asian Championships, and Commonwealth Championships.
Speaking on her emotional victory, Chanu said, "I am extremely happy. I have been waiting for this moment for many years, and finally, my dream has been fulfilled. An Asian Games medal was the one thing missing from my tally, and I’m proud to have finally achieved it."
Tactical brilliance in Nagoya
Chanu’s path to the silver was defined by clinical execution and strategic decision-making. In the snatch section, she displayed steady control, successfully lifting 87kg after sequential attempts of 83kg and 85kg.
As she moved into the clean and jerk phase, she found herself trailing North Korea’s Ri Song-gum and Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana. However, Chanu showed immense composure by opening with 107kg and then successfully pushing her limit to 111kg on her second attempt. Once the silver medal was mathematically secured, she opted to skip her third attempt to prioritize safety.
Reflecting on her strategy, Chanu noted: "I am satisfied with the result. We knew it would be very difficult to fight for the gold medal because we were aware of how strong the North Korean athlete is. I could not match her, but we knew we had a good chance of fighting for the silver and bronze medals."
The role of coaching and strategy
The victory was also a result of a calculated plan developed alongside her coach, Vijay Sharma. Rather than chasing aggressive, high-risk weights in the snatch, the team opted for a gradual build-up to ensure stability.
"Both my coach and I felt that 88 or 89 kg would be enough to secure silver. By lifting 87 kg, we had almost secured the medal. That’s why, as a safety measure, sir suggested that we start with 83 kg and then increase the weight gradually, two kilos at a time, to make sure we got a safe lift," Chanu explained.
Looking ahead: Transition to the 53kg category
With changes to the Olympic weight categories, Chanu is preparing for a significant shift in her career. While she currently competes in the 49kg class, she confirmed plans to move up to the 53kg category for future Olympic competitions.
Chanu believes this transition could be beneficial for her long-term physical health. "I will move up to 53 kg, and I think the increase in weight could actually be a good thing for me. Moving up may also give me some relief from my injury," she said, adding that while the competition in the higher weight class will be fierce, she remains optimistic about her strength and performance levels.