Mirabai Chanu wins Asian Games silver with 198 kg total in Women's 49 kg
Synopsis
After missing a podium at two previous Asian Games — once through injury, once agonisingly close — Mirabai Chanu finally stands on the continental stage. Her 198 kg silver in Aichi-Nagoya is not just a personal milestone; it is a marker of resilience that sets the tone for India's weightlifting ambitions ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Key Takeaways
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in Women's 49 kg weightlifting at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
She totalled 198 kg — 87 kg snatch and 111 kg clean and jerk.
Gold went to North Korea's Ri Song-gum ( 210 kg ); bronze to Indonesia's Wijayana Luluk Diani Tri ( 191 kg ).
This is Chanu's first Asian Games medal ; she had missed 2018 due to injury and finished fourth at 2022 Hangzhou .
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Sports Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh both offered congratulations on social media.
Weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu clinched a silver medal in the Women's 49 kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, posting a total of 198 kg — 87 kg in the snatch and 111 kg in the clean and jerk. The achievement ends a long wait for an Asian Games podium finish for the 32-year-old Manipur athlete, who had twice come agonisingly close without a medal.
The Podium and the Numbers
Chanu finished second behind North Korea's Ri Song-gum, who dominated the event with a total of 210 kg. Indonesia's Wijayana Luluk Diani Tri claimed bronze with 191 kg. Chanu's total of 198 kg placed her firmly between the two, a performance that underlines her continued standing among Asia's elite in the category.
A Long Road to the Asian Games Podium
The silver is described as Mirabai Chanu's first Asian Games medal — a milestone that had eluded her across three editions of the competition. She missed the 2018 Asian Games entirely due to injury. At the 2022 Hangzhou Games, she finished fourth, reportedly hampered by a thigh injury during her clean and jerk attempts — a result that many felt did not reflect her true capability. This medal in Japan, therefore, carries particular emotional weight. Notably, Chanu is also the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games silver medallist, one of India's most celebrated performances on the Olympic stage.
Manipur Leaders Hail the Achievement
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh took to social media platform X to congratulate the athlete. Writing on Wednesday, Singh said: 'Heartiest congratulations to our pride of Manipur, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, on winning the Silver Medal in the Women's 49 kg Weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, with a remarkable total lift of 198 kg.' He added that 'her strength, determination and perseverance have once again brought immense pride to Manipur and India,' and expressed hope that her achievement would inspire young athletes 'to dream bigger and reach greater heights.'
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio, offered his congratulations in a separate Facebook post. He described the medal as 'historic,' noting it was Chanu's first Asian Games podium finish. 'Her determination, discipline and unwavering commitment continue to inspire a new generation of athletes. Manipur celebrates this proud moment with her,' Govindas Singh wrote.
Why This Medal Matters
Chanu's silver at Aichi-Nagoya is more than a personal milestone — it reinforces India's strength in women's weightlifting at the continental level. This comes amid growing scrutiny of Indian sport's ability to convert Olympic talent into sustained multi-sport success. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, her form and fitness through a full Asian Games competition will be closely watched by selectors and coaches alike.
Point of View
Two near-misses, and now a podium. What deserves closer attention is the structural support question: why did a Tokyo Olympic silver medallist come close to being written off at the continental level due to recurring injury management issues? As India pushes for a stronger medal haul at the 2028 Olympics, the gap between celebrating individual resilience and building athlete welfare systems that prevent repeat injuries remains unaddressed in mainstream coverage.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Mirabai Chanu win at the Asian Games 2026?
Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the Women's 49 kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a total lift of 198 kg. It is her first Asian Games medal.
What was Mirabai Chanu's total lift at the Asian Games 2026?
Chanu posted a total of 198 kg, comprising 87 kg in the snatch and 111 kg in the clean and jerk. She finished second behind North Korea's Ri Song-gum, who totalled 210 kg.
Why had Mirabai Chanu never won an Asian Games medal before?
Chanu missed the 2018 Asian Games due to injury and finished fourth at the 2022 Hangzhou Games while reportedly battling a thigh injury during her clean and jerk attempts. Her silver at the 2026 edition in Japan ends that wait.
Who congratulated Mirabai Chanu from Manipur?
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh congratulated her on social media platform X, while Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh did so in a separate Facebook post, both calling it a historic achievement for Manipur and India.
What are Mirabai Chanu's previous major achievements?
Chanu is the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games silver medallist, one of India's most celebrated weightlifting performances on the global stage. Her silver at the 2026 Asian Games adds continental recognition to an already decorated career.
