CM Himanta Congratulates Mirabai Chanu on Historic Third CWG Gold
Synopsis
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed Mirabai Chanu's historic third Commonwealth Games gold and Rishikanta Singh Chanambam's silver at CWG2026 on 26 July 2026, calling it a memorable day for Indian sports and celebrating the North East's growing athletic legacy.
Key Takeaways
Mirabai Chanu won her third Commonwealth Games gold medal at CWG2026 , having previously won gold in 2018 and 2022 .
Rishikanta Singh Chanambam claimed a silver medal at CWG2026 , adding to the North East's medal haul.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly congratulated both athletes on 26 July 2026 via X.
Both medallists are from India's North East , a region increasingly prominent in international weightlifting.
The achievements align with a broader national push to expand sports infrastructure and talent identification in the North East .
CM Sarma, as NEDA convenor , has consistently championed North Eastern athletic talent on national platforms.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, 26 July 2026, extended congratulations to weightlifter Mirabai Chanu on winning a historic third Commonwealth Games gold medal and to Rishikanta Singh Chanambam on claiming silver at #CWG2026, calling the occasion 'a memorable day for Indian sports.'
Context
Mirabai Chanu, the celebrated weightlifter from Manipur, added a third Commonwealth Games gold to her already storied career, making her one of India's most decorated athletes at the quadrennial event. Rishikanta Singh Chanambam, also from the North East, secured a silver medal at the same Games, underscoring the region's growing strength in competitive weightlifting.
CM Sarma wrote on X: 'Your achievements once again showcase the immense sporting talent of the North East.' The post was accompanied by two images marking the occasion.
Policy Backdrop
Mirabai Chanu had previously won Commonwealth Games gold in the 48 kg category in 2018 and the 49 kg category in 2022, building a legacy that now spans three Games cycles. Her Olympic silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics further cemented her status as a trailblazer for Indian women in weightlifting.
Successive state and central governments have expanded sports infrastructure and talent-identification programmes across the North East, producing a rising number of international medallists in weightlifting, boxing, and archery. This emphasis forms part of a wider push to increase India's medal tally at multi-sport events by leveraging the region's established sporting strengths.
Stakeholders and Impact
CM Sarma, who serves as convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), has consistently used his public platform to highlight athletic achievements from the region, framing them as evidence of the North East's untapped potential. His post, tagged #Cheer4Bharat, aligns with a broader national campaign to rally support for Indian athletes at international competitions.
The twin medals from North Eastern athletes at CWG2026 are likely to reinforce arguments for continued investment in regional sports academies in Assam, Manipur, and neighbouring states. Athletes from the North East have increasingly featured in India's medal haul at Commonwealth and Asian Games editions, drawing attention from both state governments and the Sports Authority of India.
What's Next
With the next Olympics and Asian Games cycles on the horizon, performances like those of Mirabai Chanu and Rishikanta Singh Chanambam at CWG2026 will sharpen focus on talent pipelines in the North East. State-level sports academy expansions in Assam and neighbouring states are expected to remain a policy priority, with medal tallies at international events serving as key benchmarks for programme success.
The back-to-back recognition from a senior political figure such as CM Sarma also signals that sporting excellence from the region will continue to receive prominent political and institutional backing in the run-up to future multi-sport events.
Point of View
Effusive congratulations reflect a well-established political pattern in the North East: senior leaders visibly co-own regional sporting success to reinforce narratives of development and national integration. By naming both a celebrated champion and a lesser-known medallist in the same breath, the post also serves to broaden the spotlight beyond a single star athlete, signalling institutional intent to build a deeper talent bench. The framing of North Eastern achievements as evidence of 'immense sporting talent' subtly makes the case for sustained state and central investment in regional academies. Taken together, the gesture is as much a policy signal as it is a sporting tribute.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Commonwealth Games gold medals has Mirabai Chanu won?
Mirabai Chanu has won three Commonwealth Games gold medals — in 2018, 2022, and 2026 — making her one of India's most decorated athletes at the event.
Who is Rishikanta Singh Chanambam?
Rishikanta Singh Chanambam is an athlete from India's North East who won a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as congratulated by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Why did Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulate CWG2026 medallists?
As Assam Chief Minister and NEDA convenor, Himanta Biswa Sarma regularly highlights North Eastern sporting achievements; both CWG2026 medallists are from the North East region.
What is Mirabai Chanu's biggest achievement apart from CWG gold?
Mirabai Chanu won an Olympic silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman weightlifter to win an Olympic silver medal.
Which states in India's North East produce top weightlifters?
Manipur is the most prominent state, producing champions like Mirabai Chanu, but Assam and other North Eastern states have also contributed international medallists in weightlifting and other disciplines.
