Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu Saikhom claimed her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the 48kg category at Glasgow on 27 July, setting two Games records in the process — but the Tokyo Olympic silver medallist says her attention is already fixed on the Asian Games in Nagoya next month. 'I wasn't really focused on breaking a record. My primary goal was my performance and identifying areas I need to improve before the Asian Games,' she said after the event.

Dominant Performance in Glasgow

Mirabai was the clear pre-competition favourite and delivered a commanding display to justify that billing. She lifted 85kg in the Snatch to set a new Commonwealth Games record, then followed it up with a 105kg lift in the Clean & Jerk — another Games record — to complete a dominant victory. The double-record performance underscored just how wide the gap remains between her and the rest of the field at this level.

A Fourth CWG Medal and a Hat-Trick of Golds

The Glasgow gold is Mirabai's fourth Commonwealth Games medal overall. She had won silver in the 48kg category at Glasgow 2014 before claiming gold at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. The hat-trick of CWG golds cements her status as the most decorated Indian weightlifter on the Commonwealth stage. Notably, this is the same Glasgow venue where her CWG journey began a decade ago.

An Asian Games Campaign Marked by Near-Misses

Despite her dominance at the Commonwealth and Olympic levels, the Asian Games has remained an elusive frontier for Mirabai. She made her continental debut at just 19 years old, finishing ninth at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. A back injury forced her out of the 2018 edition in Jakarta. Her most heartbreaking moment came at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where a hip injury denied her a podium finish, leaving her in fourth place. For Nagoya, she will compete in her preferred 49kg category, and the preparation — including this CWG outing — is being calibrated entirely around that goal.

Emotion on the Podium

The moment of victory carried a weight beyond the scoreboard. Mirabai was visibly moved when the national anthem played, shedding tears on the podium. 'I was overwhelmed with emotion. Training brought many challenges, including injuries, and standing on the podium brought all those sacrifices back to mind. When your hard work pays off and the national anthem plays, tears come naturally. The tears I shed on the podium were pure joy,' she said. The Manipuri athlete also acknowledged the pressure that accompanies elite competition: 'Every competition comes with pressure, but we have to handle it. I gave my absolute best and did everything I could. I am delighted to have won India's first gold medal at these Games.'

What Comes Next

With the Asian Games in Nagoya approaching, Mirabai's Glasgow performance serves as a high-confidence tune-up rather than an end in itself. Her coaching staff and she will now analyse the areas she flagged for improvement, particularly in managing physical condition after a history of injury setbacks. A podium finish in Nagoya would complete a rare continental-global medal double for the weightlifter and mark a significant chapter in Indian sport.