Asian Games 2026: Mirabai Chanu Wins Silver in Weightlifting

Nagoya: India won a medal in weightlifting at the Asian Games, with Mirabai Chanu securing silver in the women's 49kg category. It is India's first Asian Games weightlifting medal since the 1998 Bangkok edition.

The medal also ended Mirabai Chanu's long wait for an Asian Games podium finish. Despite putting up strong performances in previous editions, the Indian weightlifter had been unable to win a medal at the continental event until now.

28-year wait after Karnam Malleswari

India had not won an Asian Games weightlifting medal since Karnam Malleswari's silver at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games. Mirabai ended the 28-year medal drought with her silver.

She has now become the first Indian weightlifter after Malleswari to finish on the Asian Games podium.

Mirabai's first Asian Games medal

Despite winning an Olympic silver medal, a World Championship gold and Commonwealth Games titles, an Asian Games medal had remained missing from Mirabai's career.

She missed the 2018 Asian Games due to injury and finished fourth at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. After several setbacks, the Indian star finally reached the podium this time.

Mirabai, who returned to competition after missing out on a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, added another significant achievement to her career with the Asian Games silver. Along with ending India's 28-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Asian Games, she also secured her first medal at the event.

North Korea's Ri Song Gum wins gold

North Korea's Ri Song Gum won the gold medal with an impressive performance. She successfully lifted 121kg in the clean and jerk to set a new Asian Games record.

Ri Song Gum secured the gold with crucial lifts in the decisive stages, while Mirabai finished the competition with the silver medal.