Asian Games 2026: Mirabai Chanu Secures Silver, Breaks India’s 28-Year Weightlifting Drought
Indian weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women’s 49kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on Wednesday, ending India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal.
Chanu lifted a combined 198kg, including 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk. North Korea’s Ri Song Gum claimed the gold with a record-breaking total of 215kg.
The Asian Games silver adds to Chanu’s collection of major international medals, including her Olympic, World Championship and Commonwealth Games achievements. She had previously finished ninth at the 2014 Asian Games, missed the 2018 edition due to injury and finished fourth at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
India’s previous Asian Games weightlifting medal came in 1998, when Karnam Malleswari won a medal at the Bangkok Games. Chanu’s silver therefore ends the country’s long wait for another weightlifting podium finish at the continental event.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh congratulated Chanu, saying her achievement brought pride to Manipur and India and would inspire young athletes.
