Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Mirabai Chanu Wins Asian Games Silver, Ends India’s Weightlifting Drought
Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in weightlifting at the 2026 Asian Games.
She competed in the women’s 49-kilogram event in Nagoya, Japan.
Her total lift was 198 kilograms.
She lifted 87 kilograms in the snatch and 111 kilograms in the clean and jerk, although one report gave the snatch figure as 88 kilograms.
Ri Song Gum won gold, and Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana won bronze.
This was Chanu’s first Asian Games medal.
She had finished ninth in 2014, missed the 2018 Games because of injury and came fourth in 2023.
Her silver was India’s first Asian Games weightlifting medal since 1998.
Chanu said she had dreamed of winning the medal for 12 years.
Mirabai Chanu won silver in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on September 23.
Chanu totaled 198kg, lifting 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk; one report listed her snatch total as 88kg.
Ri Song Gum of North Korea won gold with 215kg, while Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana won bronze with 191kg.
The medal was Chanu’s first at the Asian Games after finishing ninth in 2014, missing 2018 through injury and placing fourth in 2023.
Chanu ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal since Karnam Malleswari’s 1998 silver.
- Who
- India’s Mirabai Chanu won silver; Ri Song Gum of North Korea won gold, and Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana of Indonesia won bronze.
- What
- Chanu won silver in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event.
- When
- Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
- Where
- The 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, also called the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
- Why
- The result gave Chanu her first Asian Games medal and ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal.
- Medal
- Silver
- Event
- Women’s 49kg weightlifting
- Chanu’s total
- 198kg
- Chanu’s lifts
- 87kg snatch and 111kg clean and jerk; one report listed an 88kg snatch
- Gold medalist
- Ri Song Gum, North Korea — 215kg
- Bronze medalist
- Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana, Indonesia — 191kg
- Previous Indian medal
- Karnam Malleswari’s silver at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games
- Chanu’s statement
- She said winning an Asian Games medal was a dream come true after 12 years of pursuit
Sources
Mirabai Chanu ends Asian Games medal wait with silver
Mirabai Chanu's Historic Silver Ends India’s 28-Year Asian Games Weightlifting Medal Drought
Asian Games 2026: Mirabai Chanu bags silver medal in weightlifting, ends India’s 28 year drought
Asian Games 2026: Mirabai Chanu ends India's weightlifting medal drought with silver in 49kg category
Chanu clinches historic silver at Asian Games
Mirabai Chanu ends 12-year Asian Games medal wait with silver
Asian Games Glory At Last! Star Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu Bags Silver Medal In Women's 49 Kg Weightlifting Event
Asian Games 2026: Mirabai Chanu clinches historic silver in Nagoya — Indian weightlifter's top 5 achievements
