'Now I Want an Asian Games Medal': Mirabai Chanu Embraces New Challenge After CWG Gold

Fresh from creating history with her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal, Mirabai Chanu has already shifted her focus to the next major challenge. The Olympic silver medallist says winning an Asian Games medal has become her biggest goal, even as she admits that every success brings greater expectations and pressure.

Having won a silver at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games before claiming gold in Gold Coast (2018), Birmingham (2022), and Glasgow (2026), Chanu has established herself as one of India's greatest weightlifters. Yet, she believes her journey is incomplete until she stands on the podium at the Asian Games.

Speaking after returning from Glasgow, Chanu said every medal comes with added responsibility. She explained that expectations continue to rise after every victory, making each competition more demanding than the last. Despite the pressure, she sees it as motivation to work even harder rather than a burden.

The 2017 world champion also reflected on the emotional highs and lows of her career. While winning an Olympic silver remains one of her proudest achievements, narrowly missing another medal at the Paris Olympics left her deeply disappointed. She admitted that recovering mentally from that setback and returning to peak form was one of the toughest phases of her career.

Looking back, Chanu said her breakthrough silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games changed everything. It brought greater responsibility for Indian weightlifting and pushed her to understand what it truly takes to compete consistently at the highest international level. She credited the unwavering support of her longtime coach Vijay Sharma and the backing she received throughout her journey for helping her reach new milestones.

With the Asian Games now firmly in her sights, Chanu revealed there will be no drastic changes to her preparation. She plans to stick to her regular training routine, with her biggest priority being to remain injury-free in the lead-up to the Games.

Chanu also said receiving the Arjuna Award, a childhood dream, would be a special honour despite already being a recipient of the country's highest sporting honour, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna.

For India's weightlifting icon, the hunger to achieve more remains as strong as ever, with the elusive Asian Games medal now driving the next chapter of her remarkable career.