Asian Games 2026: Modi hails Mirabai's silver, skeet teams' bronze medals
Synopsis
Mirabai Chanu's Asian Games silver isn't just a personal milestone — it ends a 28-year drought for Indian weightlifting at the Games, completing her medal set across the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. Add two skeet bronzes and a historic soft tennis medal, and India has had one of its most decorated single days at Asian Games 2026.
Key Takeaways
Mirabai Chanu won silver in the Women's 49kg weightlifting event at Asian Games 2026 , lifting a total of 198kg .
The silver ends India's 28-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Asian Games; Mirabai is the first Indian woman after Karnam Malleshwari to achieve this.
The Indian Women's Skeet Team ( Parinaaz Dhaliwal , Maheshwari Chauhan , Raiza Dhillon ) and Men's Skeet Team ( Anant Jeet Singh Naruka , Bhavtegh Singh Gill , Mairaj Ahmad Khan ) each won bronze.
Jay Meena won India's first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis — a bronze in Men's Singles.
PM Modi , Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya , UP CM Yogi Adityanath , and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju all issued congratulatory statements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 23 September congratulated weightlifter Mirabai Chanu on her silver medal in the Women's 49kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026, and also praised the Indian men's and women's skeet teams for clinching bronze medals in their respective events. The celebrations in New Delhi extended across the political spectrum, with ministers and chief ministers joining in to mark what is being called a historic day for Indian sport.
Mirabai Ends India's 28-Year Weightlifting Wait
Mirabai Chanu lifted a total of 198kg — 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk — to secure silver and end India's 28-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Asian Games. The achievement also makes Mirabai the first Indian woman after Karnam Malleshwari to win an Asian Games medal in weightlifting. Notably, the silver completes a remarkable cross-competition medal set for the Manipur-born champion, who now has medals from the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
'A special Silver for Mirabai Chanu! Congratulations to her on winning the medal in the Women's 49 kg Weightlifting event. Her determination and consistency continue to inspire the nation. India is proud of her. Best wishes for her future endeavours,' Prime Minister Modi wrote on X.
Skeet Teams Deliver Double Bronze
The Indian shooting contingent added two more medals through the skeet discipline. The Women's Skeet Team — comprising Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Maheshwari Chauhan, and Raiza Dhillon — claimed bronze, as did the Men's Skeet Team of Anant Jeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, and Mairaj Ahmad Khan. Both teams were commended by the Prime Minister for their 'focus, precision and teamwork.'
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also lauded both squads, calling the twin bronze medals a moment of national pride. 'Your precision, focus and determination have brought pride to the nation,' he said in a statement.
Jay Meena Scripts Soft Tennis History
Among the felicitations, Jay Meena received special mention for winning India's first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis — a bronze in the Men's Singles event. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described it as a historic moment, saying Meena had 'scripted history' for Indian sport. The achievement opens a new chapter for a discipline that has long operated on the margins of India's sporting ecosystem.
What Government Leaders Said
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called Mirabai's medal 'historic', noting it was her first Asian Games medal and India's return to the weightlifting podium after 28 years. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju echoed the sentiment, saying: 'After 28 years, India returns to the Asian Games weightlifting podium… She is making India proud time and again in weightlifting events.' The outpouring of tributes reflects the significance of the haul — three medals in a single day across three different disciplines.
India's Medal Momentum at Asian Games 2026
The day's results — a silver and two bronze medals — add meaningful weight to India's overall tally at the Asian Games 2026. This comes amid a broader push by India to expand its medal footprint beyond traditional strongholds like shooting and wrestling. With competitions still ongoing, the contingent's performance in shooting and weightlifting signals a deepening talent pipeline. All eyes will now be on upcoming track, combat sports, and athletics events as India looks to consolidate its position on the regional standings.
Point of View
From Karnam Malleshwari's breakthrough to a full Olympic-Commonwealth-Asian Games medal sweep. The twin skeet bronzes and Jay Meena's historic soft tennis medal suggest India is no longer reliant on a handful of disciplines to fill its Asian Games tally. What the congratulatory cascade from Delhi also reveals is a government eager to anchor sporting success to political visibility — a dynamic that cuts both ways: it raises the profile of athletes, but also raises the stakes for those who fall short.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Mirabai Chanu win at Asian Games 2026?
Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in the Women's 49kg weightlifting event at Asian Games 2026, lifting a total of 198kg (87kg snatch + 111kg clean and jerk). It is her first Asian Games medal and ends India's 28-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Games.
Why is Mirabai Chanu's Asian Games silver medal historic?
The silver makes Mirabai the first Indian woman after Karnam Malleshwari to win an Asian Games weightlifting medal, ending a 28-year gap on the podium. It also completes her medal collection across the three major multi-sport events — Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Who won bronze medals for India in skeet shooting at Asian Games 2026?
Both the Men's and Women's Skeet Teams won bronze. The women's team comprised Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Maheshwari Chauhan, and Raiza Dhillon; the men's team was made up of Anant Jeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, and Mairaj Ahmad Khan.
Who is Jay Meena and what did he achieve at Asian Games 2026?
Jay Meena won a bronze medal in Men's Singles Soft Tennis at Asian Games 2026, making him the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in soft tennis. The achievement was praised by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a historic milestone for Indian sport.
How did PM Modi and other leaders respond to India's Asian Games medals?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted congratulatory messages on X for Mirabai Chanu and the skeet teams. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also issued tributes, highlighting the 28-year gap ended by Mirabai's weightlifting medal.
