Chirag Paswan Hails Mirabai Chanu's CWG 2026 Gold
Synopsis
Mirabai Chanu won the gold medal in the 48 kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, opening India's gold tally and completing a third consecutive Commonwealth gold. Union Minister Chirag Paswan led political congratulations, calling it a golden hat-trick and expressing national pride in the champion weightlifter.
Key Takeaways
Mirabai Chanu won gold in the 48 kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow .
The victory opened India's gold medal account at CWG 2026 .
Chanu completed a hat-trick of consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals .
Union Minister Chirag Paswan congratulated Chanu on 27 July 2026 , calling it a 'golden hat-trick.' Chanu's achievements have been supported under India's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) , launched in 2014 .
The win strengthens Chanu's position as a top contender for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics .
Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday, 27 July 2026, congratulated Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu after she clinched the gold medal in the 48 kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, opening India's gold tally at the Games and completing a remarkable hat-trick of Commonwealth gold medals.
Context
Paswan took to X to share his congratulations, writing: 'Bharat ko mila pehla gold!' ('India gets its first gold!') and noting that Chanu had not only won the event but had also completed a 'golden hat-trick' by claiming her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold. The minister added, 'The country is proud of you,' reflecting a wave of political and public sentiment following the achievement.
Chanu competed in the 48 kg category at Glasgow 2026, a slight variation from the 49 kg category in which she had previously dominated at earlier editions of the Games. Her gold at Glasgow marks India's first gold medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a milestone that typically draws significant national attention.
Policy Backdrop
Chanu's rise to the top of Commonwealth weightlifting has been supported in part by India's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, which provides elite athletes with financial assistance, specialised coaching, and exposure to international competitions. The scheme has been credited with helping a generation of Indian athletes build sustained podium-finishing capacity at global events.
Chanu had previously won gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and at an earlier edition of the Games, establishing herself as one of India's most decorated weightlifters. Her silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics further cemented her status as a flag-bearer for Indian sport.
Stakeholders and Impact
Chanu's gold is significant beyond the medal itself — it sets the tone for Team India's campaign at Glasgow 2026 and reinforces the credibility of India's long-term sports development investment. For the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and allied bodies, a podium finish by a TOPS-supported athlete at a major multi-sport event is a visible validation of policy continuity across administrations.
The congratulatory post by a Union Cabinet minister also signals the cross-ministerial attention that marquee sporting achievements attract, with elected representatives from various portfolios using such moments to express national pride and solidarity with athletes.
What's Next
With India's gold account now open at Glasgow 2026, attention will turn to the broader medal tally across disciplines over the coming days of the Games. For Chanu personally, the hat-trick of Commonwealth golds strengthens her profile as India builds its preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where she will be among the country's strongest medal prospects in weightlifting.
Point of View
And the speed with which Cabinet ministers amplified the achievement reflects a well-established political playbook of associating governance with sporting success. For Chirag Paswan, the congratulatory post is low-stakes but symbolically consistent with the ruling coalition's broader effort to project India's rising global stature through elite sport. The moment also puts quiet pressure on the sports ministry to sustain TOPS funding and infrastructure investment as the Los Angeles Olympics cycle intensifies. Chanu's durability at the top of Commonwealth competition is itself a policy argument — one that advocates for continuity in athlete support systems regardless of which party holds office.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Mirabai Chanu win gold at CWG 2026?
Yes, Mirabai Chanu won the gold medal in the 48 kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, according to a post by Union Minister Chirag Paswan on 27 July 2026.
How many Commonwealth Games gold medals has Mirabai Chanu won?
Mirabai Chanu has won three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals, completing what has been described as a 'golden hat-trick' at Glasgow 2026.
What category does Mirabai Chanu compete in at the Commonwealth Games?
Chanu competed in the 48 kg weightlifting category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She had previously competed in the 49 kg category at earlier editions.
What is the Target Olympic Podium Scheme and how does it help athletes like Mirabai Chanu?
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, provides elite Indian athletes with financial support, specialised coaching, and international competition exposure to help them win medals at major global events.
Who is Chirag Paswan and why did he congratulate Mirabai Chanu?
Chirag Paswan is the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). He congratulated Chanu on her CWG 2026 gold medal, reflecting the broader political tradition of Cabinet ministers publicly celebrating marquee Indian sporting achievements.
