Mirabai Chanu Shines at Commonwealth Games 2026
Mirabai Chanu made headlines by not eating for two days before winning India’s first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. With an impressive performance in the women’s 48kg weightlifting event on Sunday, she showed remarkable strength and skill.
Despite a shaky start, where she missed her opening lifts in both the snatch and clean and jerk, Mirabai managed to set a new Commonwealth Games record by lifting a total of 190kg. This achievement marks her third consecutive medal at the Commonwealth Games and contributes to India’s growing medal tally.
Quick Updates from Day 3
After stepping off the podium, Mirabai shared a lighthearted moment with reporters, asking for quick questions because she hadn’t eaten in two days. “Please do this quickly, I haven’t eaten in two days,” she joked with a smile.
The 31-year-old expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support from her family and long-time coach, Vijay Sharma. “They have supported me through thick and thin,” she said, acknowledging the pressure she felt from loved ones. “I’m so happy to bring home the third gold for India.”
Mirabai also mentioned she didn’t plan to push too hard in Glasgow, especially with the Asian Games approaching in less than two months. “The plan was just to do a couple of lifts, but I ended up pushing myself after some setbacks,” she noted.
Overcoming Challenges
Mirabai’s true competition began after the other athletes had completed their attempts, showcasing her skill level. She initially struggled with her opening snatch lift at 82kg but quickly bounced back to lift the same weight before reaching 85kg, setting a new Commonwealth record.
A brief setback occurred during the clean and jerk when she missed her first attempt at 105kg. However, Mirabai demonstrated her championship spirit by completing the lift on the second try. This success not only earned her the gold medal but also set new records in both the clean and jerk and overall total.
Mirabai chose to skip her final lift to prevent unnecessary strain before the Asian Games.
A Dominant Victory
Mirabai finished a significant 22kg ahead of Nigeria’s Ruth Asuquo Nyong, who secured the silver medal with a total of 168kg. It was a proud moment for Manipuri weightlifting, as compatriot Rishikanta Singh also added a silver medal in the men’s competition. Although he matched the Commonwealth Games snatch record with a lift of 121kg, two missed attempts in the clean and jerk left him with an overall total of 264kg.
With her latest gold, Mirabai Chanu has further solidified her status as one of India’s greatest weightlifters, gearing up for her next challenge at the Asian Games.
