Mirabai Chanu wins Asian Games silver, requests Arjuna Award
Synopsis
Mirabai Chanu ended India's 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal with a silver in Nagoya — and in the same breath asked the government for the one top honour she still doesn't have: the Arjuna Award. She already holds the Khel Ratna and Padma Shri. The ask is hard to argue with.
Key Takeaways
Mirabai Chanu Saikhom won silver in the women's 49kg category at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 23 September .
Her total of 198kg (snatch 87kg , clean and jerk 111kg ) placed her behind North Korea's Ri Song-gum (210kg).
The medal ends India's 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting podium, last achieved by Karnam Malleswari at the 1998 Bangkok Games .
Chanu publicly requested the Arjuna Award , saying she does not yet hold India's second-highest sports honour.
She already holds the Khel Ratna Award and Padma Shri , both awarded in 2018 .
The silver completes Chanu's medal set across the Olympics , Asian Games , and Commonwealth Games .
Mirabai Chanu Saikhom claimed a historic silver medal in the women's 49kg weightlifting category at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 23 September, ending India's 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting podium — and immediately called on the government to recognise the achievement with the Arjuna Award.
The Request for Arjuna Award
Speaking after her medal-winning performance, the 32-year-old made a pointed appeal. 'I would like to request that the government give me the Arjuna Award. I will be very happy. The Arjuna Award is the biggest. I don't have it. I want it. I will be very happy if the government considers my achievement and awards it to me,' Chanu said.
Notably, Chanu already holds the Khel Ratna Award — India's highest sports honour — and the Padma Shri, both conferred in 2018. The Arjuna Award, which recognises consistent outstanding performance, has so far eluded her decorated cabinet.
A Historic Lift in Nagoya
Chanu posted a total of 198kg — a snatch of 87kg and a clean and jerk of 111kg — to finish second on the podium. North Korea's Ri Song-gum took gold with a total of 210kg, while Indonesia's Wijayana Luluk Diani Tri claimed bronze at 191kg.
Ending a 28-Year Wait
The silver makes Chanu the first Indian to medal in Asian Games weightlifting since Karnam Malleswari won silver at the 1998 Bangkok Games — a gap of 28 years. The road to this moment was long and painful: Chanu missed the 2018 Asian Games entirely through injury, and finished an agonising fourth at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, hampered by a thigh injury during her clean and jerk attempts.
'I have been dreaming of winning a medal in the Asian Games for many years. Today, my dream has come true. I am very proud of myself. I have won a silver medal for the country in weightlifting after many years,' she said, visibly moved by the achievement.
Completing a Landmark Medal Collection
The Nagoya silver completes a rare set for Chanu — medals from the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, cementing her status as one of India's most decorated athletes in any discipline. She had previously won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, a moment she described as 'very emotional in Glasgow' in a reference to another milestone in her career. 'I had tears in my eyes out of happiness, but I didn't cry. I was very happy. I got what I wanted,' she added.
With the Arjuna Award request now in public domain, pressure is likely to mount on the sports ministry to act. Chanu's case is a strong one — and the gap in her award collection may not last long.
Point of View
But because of the sheer arc of her career. She holds the Khel Ratna and Padma Shri, has an Olympic silver, and has now finally cracked the Asian Games after two near-misses through injury. That the Arjuna, typically an earlier-career recognition, has bypassed her this long is an anomaly. The ministry's response will be a test of whether India's sports awards system can correct its own sequencing errors.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Mirabai Chanu win at the Asian Games?
Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women's 49kg weightlifting category at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 23 September, posting a total of 198kg. North Korea's Ri Song-gum took gold with 210kg.
Why is Mirabai Chanu's Asian Games silver historic?
It ended India's 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal. The last Indian to medal in the discipline at the Games was Karnam Malleswari, who won silver at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
What award has Mirabai Chanu requested from the government?
Chanu has publicly requested the Arjuna Award, India's second-highest sports honour. She said she does not yet hold the award and would be 'very happy' if the government considered her career achievements for it.
What awards does Mirabai Chanu already hold?
Chanu holds the Khel Ratna Award — India's highest sports honour — and the Padma Shri, both awarded in 2018. The Arjuna Award is the one major recognition still missing from her collection.
What had prevented Mirabai Chanu from winning an Asian Games medal earlier?
Chanu missed the 2018 Asian Games entirely due to injury, and finished fourth at the 2022 Hangzhou Games while battling a thigh injury during her clean and jerk attempts. The 2026 Nagoya Games finally delivered the podium finish she had long sought.
