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Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal at the Asian Games, India’s first weightlifting medal since 1998.
For Mirabai Chanu, the Asian Games medal is equivalent to an Olympic medal. (PTI Photo)
Five years after winning Olympic silver in Tokyo, the Indian weightlifter returned to the country and finally secured the Asian Games medal that had eluded her for 12 years. Her silver in the women’s 49kg category not only completed a long-awaited piece of her medal collection but also lifted a burden she had carried through several editions of the Games.
Chanu finished with a combined lift of 198kg, made up of 87kg in the snatch and 110kg in the clean and jerk. Her silver is India’s first Asian Games weightlifting medal since Karnam Malleswari took silver in 1998.
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The achievement adds another major milestone to Chanu’s career. She won Olympic silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021, surpassing Malleswari’s bronze from the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Her return to Japan brought her the Asian Games medal she had been seeking ever since she began competing at the Olympics.
“Finally, I have got the medal that I wanted, which I have been chasing for 12 years. I am feeling very light now because the pressure is completely gone from me. This is my dream Asian Games medal. I feel my life is complete now,” Chanu said after her event.
“I won a silver medal in Tokyo (Olympics) and now I have a silver medal at the Asian Games in Japan. I’ve been dreaming of winning an Asian Games medal since I stepped into the Olympics.
“I always ask myself, what is happening to me during or before every Asian Games? But this time, I tried my best. I came here with the resolve that no matter what happens, I will win the medal,” added the 32-year-old.
For Chanu, the significance of the achievement goes beyond the podium. She considers an Asian Games medal comparable to an Olympic medal because many of the world’s leading weightlifters come from Asia.
Asked what made Wednesday’s achievement particularly special, she replied, “Everything is special. Olympic rings, hairband, nails.”
Chanu also made it clear that she wanted her final clean and jerk attempt to reflect her best effort. Although 110kg was enough to secure silver, she attempted 111kg rather than settle for the safer option.
“I wanted to lift more than 110kg (in clean and jerk). I didn’t know how much the Indonesian (bronze medallist) would lift. I knew the gold is not there for me. But I just wanted to give my best performance. I didn’t want to win a medal by lifting less.
The 49kg category will not feature at the 2028 Olympics, with the women’s 53kg class taking its place. Chanu has yet to finalise how she will approach the transition, including when she will begin the qualification process.
“We have not decided finally, but we will try. Qualifying starts from December but we have not yet decided whether we will start or not (from December). But for now, I will enjoy.”
The move up will require careful management of both bodyweight and strength rather than an immediate increase in weight.
“I have been playing in 49kg. When I am in training, I maintain 1.5kg more, say 50.5kg. Maintaining that is difficult for us. I have to do weight training. I have to take a lot of load. That’s it.
“For now, there will be no problem. LA will start from 53kg. In will be my last 49kg. So, on one hand, it is very good.”
Chanu explained that adding weight too quickly could affect her strength and performance. Her plan is therefore to build muscle and increase her bodyweight gradually while keeping her strength under control.
“If we gain weight suddenly, our performance can also go down. Strength will also not be that much. We are thinking of increasing the weight along with strength.
“To bring more strength to the muscles, we will maintain it (weight). I will keep track of what I want to eat, what I want to change in my diet. If I get 53kg at once, my strength can go down. So, I have to control my weight along with my strength.”
The road to the Asian Games medal was demanding. Following the Commonwealth Games, Chanu had little time to prepare while also having to manage her bodyweight closely.
“After the Commonwealth Games, I had very little time. At that time, I had to control my weight in 48kg. It was very difficult for me to control and maintain my weight.
“It was very important for me to maintain my weight in 49 kg. But the Asian Games were very important for me. I had been preparing for this for years. So, I have maintained everything.”
The expectations surrounding her remained another challenge. Chanu acknowledged that the demand for medals could create pressure, but said her confidence in her own ability helped her deal with it.
“Everyone expects a medal from me. So, I also think that ‘If I make a mistake, what will I do?’ So, I feel pressure. On the other hand, I am proud of my strength. I have confidence and belief in myself.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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Ask News18Mirabai Chanu secured a silver medal in the women’s 49kg category with a combined lift of 198kg, ending a 12-year chase for an Asian Games medal.
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Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
September 23, 2026, 6:17 PM IST
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