Mirabai Chanu targets 2026 Asian Games gold after CWG hat-trick in Glasgow
Synopsis
Three days after winning her third straight Commonwealth Games gold and setting new CWG snatch records in Glasgow, Mirabai Chanu is already training for the 2026 Asian Games — the one major title she has never won. Her Hangzhou heartbreak, where a thigh injury ended her medal bid in fourth place, now fuels what could be the defining performance of her career.
Key Takeaways
Mirabai Chanu won her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in the women's 48kg event at Glasgow 2026 , opening India's gold-medal account.
She set new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch with a lift of 85kg , overcoming a failed opening attempt.
Her CWG record spans a silver at Glasgow 2014 , and golds at Gold Coast 2018 , Birmingham 2022 , and Glasgow 2026 .
At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou , she finished fourth with a 191kg total, her medal bid ended by a thigh injury on a 117kg clean and jerk attempt.
Mirabai has already resumed training in Glasgow , targeting the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu has wasted no time after her historic Commonwealth Games 2026 triumph in Glasgow, returning to training less than three days after clinching her third consecutive CWG gold in the women's 48kg category. The Manipur-born weightlifting icon is now setting her sights firmly on the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — the one major multi-sport title that continues to elude her.
A Record-Breaking Gold in Glasgow
Mirabai opened India's gold-medal tally at Commonwealth Games 2026 with a commanding performance in the women's 48kg event. She overcame an early setback — failing her opening 82kg snatch attempt — to recover with authority, clearing the lift on her second effort before raising the bar to 85kg, which set new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch.
The clean and jerk phase brought another early stumble, with her first attempt dropped. But Mirabai responded with the composure that defines elite champions, successfully lifting 105kg on her second attempt to seal the gold well before the final standings were confirmed.
A Hat-Trick That Rewrites CWG History
The Glasgow 2026 gold completed a hat-trick of Commonwealth Games titles for Mirabai. She had previously triumphed at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, and her CWG journey stretches back to a silver medal at Glasgow 2014 — the same city where she now stands as a three-time champion. That arc makes her one of the most decorated weightlifters in Commonwealth Games history.
Unfinished Business at the Asian Games
Despite her dominance on the Commonwealth stage, the Asian Games remains Mirabai's most prominent unfulfilled ambition. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, she finished fourth in the women's 49kg event with a total lift of 191kg — 83kg in the snatch and 108kg in the clean and jerk. Her medal bid ended painfully when she sustained a thigh injury on a 117kg final clean and jerk attempt.
Notably, that Hangzhou result came despite Mirabai being among the pre-competition favourites. The injury-induced exit has since fuelled her motivation heading into the continental showpiece in Japan.
Road to Aichi-Nagoya
Now reportedly fully fit and carrying the momentum of yet another record-setting performance, Mirabai has already begun laying the groundwork for a medal push at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. She was spotted training in Glasgow in the immediate aftermath of her CWG victory — a signal of the urgency she attaches to the Asian Games target.
With her technical resilience on display in Glasgow and the painful memory of Hangzhou providing added drive, India's most celebrated weightlifter will be hoping the 2026 Asian Games becomes the final chapter in a remarkable redemption arc.
Point of View
And a fully fit Mirabai at Aichi-Nagoya is a legitimate gold contender. What mainstream coverage tends to overlook is the weight-category dimension: she competed in 49kg at Hangzhou and 48kg at Glasgow, and how India and the federation manage her category and competition load ahead of Japan will be as consequential as her training block. The Asian Games gold would complete a set that no Indian weightlifter has assembled — and for a country that has historically struggled at the continental level in this sport, it would be a landmark of a different order.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mirabai Chanu achieve at Commonwealth Games 2026?
Mirabai Chanu won the gold medal in the women's 48kg weightlifting event at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, completing a hat-trick of CWG titles after previous golds at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. She also set new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch with an 85kg lift.
Why is the Asian Games significant for Mirabai Chanu?
The Asian Games is the one major multi-sport title Mirabai has not yet won. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, she finished fourth in the women's 49kg event with a total of 191kg after sustaining a thigh injury on her final clean and jerk attempt of 117kg.
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Mirabai Chanu has already begun her preparations for the continental showpiece following her Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow.
What is Mirabai Chanu's full Commonwealth Games record?
Mirabai's CWG journey began with a silver medal at Glasgow 2014, followed by gold medals at Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022, and Glasgow 2026 — making her one of the most decorated weightlifters in Commonwealth Games history.
How did Mirabai Chanu perform technically at CWG 2026?
She failed her opening 82kg snatch attempt but recovered to clear it on the second lift, then raised the bar to 85kg for a Commonwealth record. In the clean and jerk, she dropped her first attempt before successfully lifting 105kg on her second to clinch the gold.
