Mirabai Chanu wins CWG 2026 gold with Games-record snatch in Glasgow
Synopsis
Mirabai Chanu did not just win gold in Glasgow — she made history. A failed opening snatch, two records shattered, and a hat-trick of Commonwealth Games titles sealed before the competition even finished: this is the defining performance of India's finest weightlifter, and perhaps the most complete display of her career.
Key Takeaways
Mirabai Chanu won the women's 48kg gold at CWG 2026 in Glasgow on 26 July 2026 .
She set a new Commonwealth Games record and a new Commonwealth Record in the snatch with a lift of 85kg .
This is Mirabai's third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold , following Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 .
Rishikanta Singh Chanambam won silver in the men's 60kg event with a total of 264kg , also breaking the Commonwealth Games snatch record ( 121kg ).
Bin Kasdan Mohamad Aniq of Malaysia took gold in the men's 60kg with a Games-record 273kg ; Joshua Amunga Mboya of Kenya won bronze with 260kg .
Mirabai Chanu completed a historic hat-trick of Commonwealth Games gold medals on Sunday, 26 July 2026, claiming the women's 48kg title in Glasgow while simultaneously shattering both the Games record and the Commonwealth snatch record. The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist became India's first gold medallist at the Glasgow Games, cementing her status as the country's most decorated weightlifter on the Commonwealth stage.
How the Gold Was Won
Mirabai's path to the podium was not without turbulence. She failed on her opening snatch attempt at 82kg, but recovered with clinical composure to successfully lift that weight on her second try. She then raised the bar to 85kg on her final snatch attempt, setting a new Commonwealth Games record and a new Commonwealth Record in the process.
Entering the clean and jerk with an eight-kilogram lead over her rivals, Mirabai dropped the bar on her first attempt at that discipline. She responded in the manner of a champion, however, hoisting 105kg on her second attempt to seal the gold medal with time to spare — before the competition had even concluded.
A Hat-Trick That Spans Three Continents
This victory is Mirabai's third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold, following triumphs at the 2018 Gold Coast Games and the 2022 Birmingham Games. No other Indian weightlifter has achieved this feat across three successive editions of the Games. The Manipur-born lifter has now made the 48kg podium her personal territory at the Commonwealth level.
Rishikanta Singh Opens India's Medal Account
Earlier on the same day, Rishikanta Singh Chanambam delivered a standout performance in the men's 60kg event, winning a silver medal for India. He broke the Commonwealth Games snatch record by lifting 121kg, surpassing the previous mark of 120kg. His clean and jerk of 143kg brought his total to 264kg.
Bin Kasdan Mohamad Aniq of Malaysia claimed gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 273kg, while Joshua Amunga Mboya of Kenya took bronze with 260kg.
What This Means for Indian Weightlifting
India's double-medal haul on the opening day of weightlifting competition at the Glasgow Games signals a depth of talent that extends beyond Mirabai alone. Notably, both Mirabai and Rishikanta broke or equalled Commonwealth Games records on the same day — an uncommon occurrence that underscores the current strength of Indian weightlifting. With more weight categories yet to be contested, India's medal tally in the sport could grow further before the Games conclude.
Point of View
But the more significant story is what it reveals about the structural gap in Indian weightlifting: she remains the singular pillar, and the sport's depth beyond her is still being built. Rishikanta Singh's silver and snatch record on the same day is a genuine signal of emerging talent, but one silver in the men's category against a Malaysian gold-record total of 273kg also shows how far the men's programme has to travel. The real test for Indian weightlifting is whether the system can convert Mirabai's sustained excellence into a broader pipeline — or whether her retirement, when it comes, will leave a vacuum that takes years to fill.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
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 now Glasgow 2026. She competes in the women's 48kg category.
What records did Mirabai Chanu break at CWG 2026?
Mirabai broke both the Commonwealth Games record and the Commonwealth Record in the snatch by lifting 85kg at the Glasgow Games on 26 July 2026. Her clean and jerk of 105kg secured the gold medal.
What did Rishikanta Singh Chanambam achieve at CWG 2026?
Rishikanta Singh Chanambam won a silver medal in the men's 60kg event, lifting a total of 264kg. He also broke the Commonwealth Games snatch record with a lift of 121kg, surpassing the previous mark of 120kg.
Who won gold in the men's 60kg weightlifting at CWG 2026?
Bin Kasdan Mohamad Aniq of Malaysia won gold in the men's 60kg event with a Commonwealth Games record total of 273kg. Joshua Amunga Mboya of Kenya took bronze with 260kg.
Why is Mirabai Chanu's CWG 2026 gold historically significant?
It makes her the first Indian weightlifter to win gold at three consecutive Commonwealth Games editions. She was also India's first gold medallist at the Glasgow Games, and her snatch of 85kg set a new Commonwealth Record.
