Newspunjab
23 Sept,2026
India’s star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu created history by winning a silver medal in the women’s 49 kg category with a brilliant performance at the 2026 Asian Games. Mirabai lifted a total of 198 kg, including 87 kg in the snatch and 111 kg in the clean and jerk. She started with 83 kg in the snatch and after lifting 85 kg in the second attempt, she successfully lifted 87 kg in the third attempt. After this, in the clean and jerk, she successfully lifted 107 kg in the first attempt and 111 kg in the second attempt. North Korea’s Ri Song Gum won the gold medal with a total weight of 215 kg. This is Mirabai’s first medal in the Asian Games and with this, India’s long wait for an Asian Games medal in weightlifting has also come to an end. India had earlier won a silver medal in weightlifting through Karnam Malleshwari at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games. After this, India did not get an Asian Games medal in this sport for almost 28 years. Mirabai also participated in the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games, but she could not win a medal at that time. Due to injury, she could not participate in the 2022 Asian Games as well. For Mirabai, who has won medals in the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games, an Asian Games medal was a long-held dream, which she achieved in 2026, making India proud.
