Mirabai Chanu, the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist, marked a stellar return by winning gold in the women’s 48kg at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Naranpura, setting three new records and booking her spot for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Highlights:
- Event: Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025, Naranpura
- Gold Medal: Women’s 48kg — Mirabai Chanu (84kg snatch, 109kg clean & jerk, total 193kg)
- Margin of Victory: 32kg ahead of Malaysia’s Irene Jane Henry
- Records: Set three new Commonwealth records
- Qualification: Secured berth for 2026 Commonwealth Games
- Other Winners: Rishikanta Singh (Men’s 60kg), Dharmajyoti Dewgharia (Men’s 56kg junior/youth), Arumugapandian Maharajan (Men’s 60kg junior/youth), Soumya Dalvi (Women’s 48kg junior), Payal (Women’s 48kg youth), Preetismita Bhoi (Women’s 44kg youth).
Nearly a year after finishing fourth at Paris 2024, Mirabai Chanu made a stunning comeback, securing the women’s 48kg gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Naranpura on Monday.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist lifted 84kg in snatch and 109kg in clean and jerk, registering a combined 193kg, well clear of Malaysia’s Irene Jane Henry, who finished second, trailing by 32kg.
Cutting an extra kilogram to compete in the revised weight category, Mirabai qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games with ease. Her victory was significant as she also set three new Commonwealth records.
The 2017 World Champion overcame early nerves—starting with a failed attempt in snatch due to a wrist concern—before succeeding with 84kg and narrowly missing 87kg. In the clean and jerk, she hoisted 105kg and 109kg comfortably before a rare “no lift” was recorded at 113kg when the clock expired.
The championships also saw other Indian lifters shine. Rishikanta Singh dominated the men’s 60kg with a 271kg total, beating Malaysia’s Aniq Kasdan by 18kg. Dharmajyoti Dewgharia (224kg) and Arumugapandian Maharajan (254kg) secured junior and youth titles in their respective men’s categories. On the women’s side, Soumya Dalvi (177kg), Payal (166kg), and Preetismita Bhoi (150kg) clinched youth and junior golds.
For Mirabai, however, the triumph was particularly sweet—her first senior gold medal at home, having earlier won silver at the 2015 Pune edition. The win not only reaffirmed her place as India’s top lifter but also sent a strong signal ahead of next month’s World Championships.
