‘My Dream Has Come True’ Mirabai Chanu Ends Long Asian Games Wait With Historic Silver

Mirabai Chanu finally secured her maiden Asian Games medal on Wednesday, winning silver in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Her 198kg total ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal and completed a long-awaited milestone in her decorated career.

“I am very happy. I have been waiting for this day for many years. Finally, I have won a silver medal. I am very happy and proud of myself. My dream has come true,” Chanu said after the event.

North Korea’s two-time world champion Ri Song Gum won gold with a record-breaking 215kg total, lifting 94kg in the snatch and 121kg in the clean and jerk. Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana took bronze with 191kg.

Chanu completed all three of her snatch attempts, lifting 83kg, 85kg and 87kg. She finished the first half of the competition in third place, with Ri opening up a significant lead with her 94kg lift.

The Indian then produced a crucial performance in the clean and jerk. She successfully lifted 107kg and 111kg with her first two attempts, taking her total to 198kg. Wijayana could not complete her 107kg clean and jerk attempt, allowing Chanu to secure silver.

Ri remained in a different bracket, lifting 116kg before successfully attempting 121kg to complete her record-setting 215kg total and claim her third consecutive Asian Games gold.

For Chanu, the medal came after three very different Asian Games experiences. She finished ninth at Incheon in 2014, missed the 2018 Jakarta edition because of a back injury and finished fourth at Hangzhou in 2023 after an injury during the clean and jerk disrupted her challenge.

The 2026 edition was also a demanding assignment because Chanu had competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this year, where she won her third consecutive gold. She said the short turnaround left her with only a month to recover and prepare.

“There was a lot of pressure. The Asian Games are very important for me. It is very difficult for us to play back-to-back competitions. After the Commonwealth Games, I had only one month. This is what I wanted to do. I wanted to win at least one medal in the Asian Games. I prepared very well and won this medal,” she said.

The silver ended India’s long wait since Karnam Malleswari’s 1998 Asian Games silver in Bangkok. Chanu has now won medals at the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Asian Championships and Commonwealth Championships, becoming only the second Indian weightlifter after Malleswari to achieve the feat.

The achievement also drew praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who congratulated Chanu on social media. “A special Silver for @mirabai_chanu!” Modi wrote, praising her determination and consistency and adding, “India is proud of her.” He also wished her success in her future endeavours.

Born in Nongpok Kakching, Manipur, Chanu began formal weightlifting training in 2008 and went on to become an Olympic silver medallist at Tokyo 2020 and a three-time Commonwealth Games champion.

“I don't know where to start. I have been waiting for this day for many years. I am very happy and proud of myself. I want to celebrate this day,” Chanu said, finally allowing herself to savour the Asian Games moment she had chased for years.