"Ultimate dream for us": Mirabai Chanu ends long wait for Asian Games medal
Weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu returns to New Delhi after securing a long-awaited silver medal at the Asian Games in Japan.
Indian weightlifting icon Mirabai Chanu has finally fulfilled a long-standing ambition by securing a silver medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Upon her return to New Delhi on Tuesday morning, the veteran athlete expressed immense joy at completing her collection of major international accolades with this continental success.
A historic achievement for the weightlifting star
Competing in the women's 49kg category, Chanu demonstrated her resilience by lifting a combined total of 198kg. Her performance included a successful 87kg in the snatch and a strong 111kg in the clean and jerk. While she finished second behind North Korea’s Ri Song Gum, who took gold with 215kg, the silver medal marks a significant milestone in her illustrious career.
Chanu, who already boasts an Olympic medal, a World Championship medal, and three Commonwealth Games gold medals, described this specific achievement as a dream come true. "I am overjoyed. I had been waiting for this day for years," Chanu remarked. "This was the ultimate dream for us; it was incredibly important to me, and now I’ve finally secured it."
Overcoming past injuries and setbacks
The 32-year-old weightlifter entered the Aichi-Nagoya Games with a point to prove. The previous edition in Hangzhou had been a source of frustration when an injury prevented her from completing her final clean and jerk attempt, leaving her in fourth place. This time, she used that experience as motivation.
Key details of her performance:
- Category: Women's 49kg
- Snatch: 87kg
- Clean and Jerk: 111kg
- Total Lift: 198kg
- Result: Silver Medal
Reflecting on her journey, Chanu noted that these Games were crucial for her recovery and redemption following her previous injury. She emphasized that her training remained consistent, focusing on proving her strength on the international stage once again.
Strategic brilliance and legendary status
The victory was not just a result of strength, but of meticulous planning. Chanu revealed that the team approached the competition with a highly specific strategy regarding the weights they would attempt, ensuring they did not let the opportunity slip away.
With this silver medal, Chanu has etched her name into the history books alongside Karnam Malleshwari. She becomes only the second Indian weightlifter to achieve the remarkable feat of winning medals across the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Asian Championships, and Commonwealth Championships.
From her beginnings in Nongpok Kakching, Manipur, where she started formal training in 2008, Chanu has evolved into a global powerhouse, continuing to bring pride to India and the sport of weightlifting.