Mirabai Chanu wins Asian Games silver, ends India's 28-year weightlifting wait
Synopsis
Mirabai Chanu's silver in Nagoya wasn't just another medal — it snapped a 28-year silence for India in Asian Games weightlifting, completing her collection across every major international stage. The 32-year-old overcame years of injury setbacks to achieve what Karnam Malleswari last did in Bangkok in 1998.
Key Takeaways
Mirabai Chanu won silver in the women's 49kg event at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on 23 September .
Her total of 198kg (87kg snatch + 111kg clean and jerk) placed her behind gold medallist Ri Song-gum of North Korea (210kg).
The medal ends India's 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting podium finish since Karnam Malleswari's silver at the 1998 Bangkok Games .
Chanu, 32 , had previously missed the 2018 Asian Games through injury and finished fourth at the 2023 Hangzhou Games .
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Chanu, calling her journey 'an inspiration to the younger generation of athletes.'
Mirabai Chanu clinched the silver medal in the women's 49kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on 23 September, ending India's 28-year drought for an Asian Games medal in the discipline. The achievement drew immediate congratulations from President Droupadi Murmu, who hailed the feat as an inspiration to the next generation of Indian athletes.
President Murmu's Congratulations
President Droupadi Murmu praised Chanu in a post, saying: 'I extend my heartiest congratulations to Mirabai Chanu on winning the Silver Medal in the Women's 49kg Weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026. This achievement brings India a weightlifting medal at the Asian Games after 28 years. With medals at several prestigious international tournaments including the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships, your journey stands as an inspiration to younger generation of athletes.'
How the Competition Unfolded
Chanu recorded a total lift of 198kg — 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk — at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center. North Korea's Ri Song-gum claimed gold with a dominant total of 210kg, while Indonesia's Wijayana Luluk Diani Tri secured bronze with 191kg.
A Career Defined by Resilience
The silver was the culmination of a long and injury-disrupted pursuit of an Asian Games podium. Chanu had finished fourth at the 2023 Hangzhou Games after a thigh injury disrupted her clean and jerk attempts, and injuries had kept her out of the 2018 edition entirely. The 32-year-old from Manipur now holds medals across all four of the sport's most prestigious stages — the Olympics, the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, and the World Championships.
Historic Milestone for Indian Weightlifting
Chanu became India's first Asian Games weightlifting medallist since Karnam Malleswari won silver at the 1998 Bangkok Games — a gap of exactly 28 years. Her medal haul already includes an Olympic silver, a World Championship title, and multiple Commonwealth Games gold medals, cementing her place as one of the most decorated weightlifters in Indian sporting history.
What This Means Going Forward
The Nagoya silver adds significant momentum to India's weightlifting programme ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Chanu's ability to compete at the highest level despite recurring injuries will likely serve as a benchmark for younger Indian lifters aiming for international podiums.
Point of View
Persisting through repeated injuries over nearly a decade, is the sole reason this 28-year gap did not stretch further. The programme needs structural investment in identifying and developing the next Chanu, not just celebrating the current one. With Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, the question is whether Indian weightlifting can build a pipeline rather than rely on a single decorated career.
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 49kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on 23 September. She lifted a total of 198kg, comprising 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk.
Why is Chanu's Asian Games 2026 silver historically significant?
The silver ended India's 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal, the last having been won by Karnam Malleswari at the 1998 Bangkok Games. It also completed Chanu's medal collection across the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships.
Who won gold in the women's 49kg weightlifting at Asian Games 2026?
North Korea's Ri Song-gum won gold with a total lift of 210kg. Indonesia's Wijayana Luluk Diani Tri took the bronze medal with 191kg.
What obstacles did Mirabai Chanu face before winning this medal?
Chanu missed the 2018 Asian Games due to injury and finished fourth at the 2023 Hangzhou Games after a thigh injury affected her clean and jerk attempts. Her persistence through multiple setbacks makes the Nagoya silver particularly significant.
How did President Droupadi Murmu react to Mirabai Chanu's medal?
President Droupadi Murmu posted congratulations, calling Chanu's journey 'an inspiration to the younger generation of athletes' and noting that the win brings India a weightlifting medal at the Asian Games after 28 years.
