Mirabai Chanu Asian Games 2026: Indian weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu finally achieved a long-awaited milestone at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, winning the silver medal in the women’s 49kg category on September 23, 2026.
Chanu produced a total lift of 198kg, combining an 87kg snatch with a 111kg clean and jerk. North Korea’s Ri Song Gum won the gold with 215kg, while Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana claimed bronze with 191kg.
Mirabai Chanu Asian Games 2026 Result
Mirabai Chanu’s final result in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event was:
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Medal | 🥈 Silver |
| Snatch | 87kg |
| Clean & Jerk | 111kg |
| Total | 198kg |
| Weight Category | Women’s 49kg |
| Event | Asian Games 2026 |
Chanu successfully completed all three of her snatch attempts, finishing with 87kg. In the clean and jerk, she opened with 107kg and then successfully lifted 111kg on her second attempt.
First Asian Games Medal for Mirabai Chanu
The silver medal is particularly important because it is Mirabai Chanu’s first Asian Games medal.
Before the 2026 Games, the Asian Games podium was one of the major achievements missing from her career. She had already won an Olympic silver medal, World Championship medals and multiple Commonwealth Games titles.
After winning silver in Nagoya, Chanu said that winning an Asian Games medal had been her dream since she entered the elite level of weightlifting.
Mirabai Chanu’s Asian Games Journey
Chanu’s road to the podium was not straightforward.
She competed at the 2014 Asian Games, where she finished ninth. She missed the 2018 edition because of injury. At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, she finished fourth after an injury affected her clean and jerk performance.
The 2026 competition therefore represented another opportunity to achieve the Asian Games medal that had eluded her.
This time, she successfully completed the competition with a 198kg total and secured silver.
How Mirabai Chanu Won the Silver
Chanu started the final with an 83kg snatch and then successfully lifted 85kg and 87kg.
Her 87kg snatch kept her in medal contention, although defending champion Ri Song Gum had established a significant lead with a 94kg snatch.
In the clean and jerk, Chanu successfully lifted 107kg before improving to 111kg.
That gave her a combined total of 198kg, enough for second place.
Ri Song Gum went on to produce a remarkable 215kg total, including a 94kg snatch and 121kg clean and jerk. Her performance included world-record lifts.
Women’s 49kg Asian Games 2026 Medal Table
| Position | Athlete | Country | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Gold | Ri Song Gum | North Korea | 215kg |
| 🥈 Silver | Mirabai Chanu | India | 198kg |
| 🥉 Bronze | Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana | Indonesia | 191kg |
Chanu finished 17kg behind Ri Song Gum but 7kg ahead of the bronze-medal total.
India Ends 28-Year Wait for Asian Games Weightlifting Medal
Mirabai Chanu’s silver also created a major milestone for Indian weightlifting.
India’s previous Asian Games weightlifting medal came in 1998, when Karnam Malleswari won silver in Bangkok.
Chanu’s medal therefore ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal.
It also means Chanu has now won medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Mirabai Chanu’s Career Milestone
The Asian Games silver adds another important medal to one of India’s most decorated weightlifting careers.
Her career includes:
- Olympic silver medal
- World Championship medals
- Commonwealth Games gold medals
- Asian Games silver medal
- Multiple international titles
The Asian Games medal was particularly significant because it completed a major gap in her international medal collection.
Mirabai Chanu’s Reaction After Winning Silver
Following her medal-winning performance, Chanu expressed happiness at finally achieving her long-standing Asian Games goal.
She described the medal as something she had dreamed about since the beginning of her elite weightlifting career. She also thanked her coach, support staff, sporting organisations and fans for their support.
Her coach Vijay Sharma has worked with Chanu through several major stages of her international career, including her World Championship and Olympic success.
Why Mirabai Chanu’s Asian Games Silver Matters
The 2026 Asian Games medal has significance for both Chanu and Indian weightlifting.
For Chanu, it represents the achievement of a goal that had remained out of reach despite several major international successes.
For India, the medal ends a 28-year gap between Asian Games weightlifting podium finishes.
Her performance also came after a busy 2026 season, including another Commonwealth Games title before the Asian Games.
Mirabai Chanu Asian Games 2026: Final Takeaway
Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan.
Her 198kg total — 87kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk — earned India a silver medal and gave Chanu her first-ever Asian Games podium finish.
The achievement also ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal.
For Mirabai Chanu, the Nagoya silver represents the completion of a major career goal and adds an Asian Games medal to her already decorated international record.
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