Mirabai Chanu gifts signed jersey to Kiren Rijiju after CWG hat-trick gold
Synopsis
Mirabai Chanu didn't just win gold in Glasgow — she made history as the first female weightlifter in the world to claim three consecutive Commonwealth Games golds. Her visit to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, signed jersey in hand, underlines how this Manipur-born champion has become the enduring face of Indian weightlifting on the global stage.
Key Takeaways
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu gifted a signed jersey from the Indian weightlifting contingent to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi .
Chanu won her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in the 48kg category at Glasgow .
She set two Commonwealth Games records — 85 kg in the snatch and 105 kg in the clean and jerk.
She became the first female weightlifter in the world to win three consecutive CWG gold medals.
This was her fourth CWG medal overall , having previously won silver at Glasgow 2014 and gold at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 .
Hundreds of supporters welcomed the contingent at Indira Gandhi International Airport on her return.
Indian weightlifting star Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and the chief national weightlifting coach visited Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi to present him a jersey signed by the entire Indian weightlifting contingent, following her historic third consecutive gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The gesture came days after Chanu cemented her status as one of India's greatest athletes on the global stage.
A Record-Breaking Performance in Glasgow
Chanu dominated the 48kg women's category in Glasgow, setting a Commonwealth Games record in the snatch with a lift of 85 kg, before adding another Games record of 105 kg in the clean and jerk. The twin records powered her to gold and made her the first female weightlifter in the world to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals.
A Career Built on CWG Excellence
This was Chanu's fourth CWG medal overall — she claimed silver in the 48kg category at Glasgow 2014, before converting that into gold at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, and now completing the hat-trick in Glasgow. The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist has now built a Commonwealth Games record that stands alone in women's weightlifting history.
What Rijiju Said
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who holds the portfolios of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, shared glimpses of the meeting on X. In his post, Rijiju wrote: 'Welcome home, dear @mirabai_chanu, after a glorious victory in the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow! She made India proud once again by winning the gold medal in weightlifting! Thanks for presenting a T-shirt signed by all the weightlifting players.'
Homecoming at Indira Gandhi International Airport
Chanu received a rousing reception on her return from Glasgow on Sunday, with hundreds of supporters gathering at Indira Gandhi International Airport to welcome the contingent home. Also among those who arrived were heavyweight weightlifter Lovepreet Singh and Gyaneshwari Yadav, both greeted by fans, family, and well-wishers.
Speaking to reporters after landing in New Delhi, the Manipur-born champion expressed deep pride in her achievement. 'Coming from Manipur, I feel really proud that I have done something good for my country,' she said. With her place in Indian sports history secure, all eyes will now turn to what Chanu targets next on the international circuit.
Point of View
While warm in optics, also reflects a pattern where athletic achievement is quickly absorbed into political optics. The more substantive question is whether the infrastructure and coaching ecosystem that produced Chanu is being systematically replicated, so that the next generation of lifters from Manipur and beyond does not depend on a single exceptional talent to carry the flag.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mirabai Chanu gift to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju?
Mirabai Chanu and the chief national weightlifting coach presented Union Minister Kiren Rijiju with a jersey signed by all members of the Indian weightlifting contingent. The visit followed Chanu's gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
How many Commonwealth Games gold medals has Mirabai Chanu won?
Mirabai Chanu has won three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals — at Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022, and Glasgow. She also won a silver at Glasgow 2014, making it four CWG medals in total.
What records did Mirabai Chanu set at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games?
Chanu set two Commonwealth Games records at Glasgow — lifting 85 kg in the snatch and 105 kg in the clean and jerk, both in the 48kg women's category.
Why is Mirabai Chanu's Glasgow gold historically significant?
With her Glasgow gold, Chanu became the first female weightlifter in the world to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals. She is also a Tokyo Olympic silver medallist, cementing her as one of India's most decorated active athletes.
How was Mirabai Chanu received on her return to India?
Chanu received a rousing welcome at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Sunday, with hundreds of supporters, family members, and well-wishers turning out to celebrate the contingent's successful campaign in Glasgow.
