Mirabai Chanu wins maiden Asian Games medal with women’s 49kg silver
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu claimed a silver medal in the women’s 49kg category at the 2026 Asian Games, ending a 28-year wait for the nation.
- Headline: Mirabai Chanu wins maiden Asian Games medal with women’s 49kg silver
- Dispatch Summary: Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu claimed a silver medal in the women’s 49kg category at the 2026 Asian Games, ending a 28-year wait for the nation.
- Verification: Corroborated across independent reporting outlets with primary sources and real-time wire transmissions.
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu clinched her first Asian Games medal with a silver in the women’s 49kg category at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, ending a 28-year wait for a weightlifting podium finish for the country. The achievement marked a milestone in Chanu’s career, which has seen her win Olympic and Commonwealth Games medals but previously fall short of a continental championship podium.
Chanu’s Historic Silver in Nagoya
Chanu’s performance in the women’s 49kg event saw her lift 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk, totaling 198kg. North Korea’s Ri Song Gum dominated the competition with a total of 215kg, securing gold, while Wijayana claimed bronze. Chanu’s result made her the second Indian weightlifter, after Karnam Malleshwari, to win medals in all major international weightlifting events, including the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships.
This was Chanu’s fourth Asian Games appearance. She finished ninth in her debut at the 2014 Incheon Games, was ruled out of the 2018 Jakarta Games due to injury, and placed fourth in Hangzhou 2023 after withdrawing from her final clean and jerk attempt. Her silver in Nagoya came after winning gold at the 2025 Commonwealth Games, solidifying her status as one of India’s most decorated weightlifters.
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| Snatch | 87kg |
| Clean and Jerk | 111kg |
| Total Lift | 198kg |
| Gold Medalist (Ri Song Gum) | 215kg |
India’s Broader Success on the Day
Chanu’s silver contributed to India’s growing medal tally at the 2026 Asian Games. By September 23, the country had secured 11 medals, including one gold, five silver, and five bronze. The victories spanned multiple disciplines, with notable performances in shooting, soft tennis, and cricket.
India’s women’s cricket team claimed the country’s first gold medal at the Games, defeating Sri Lanka in the final. In shooting, the women’s skeet team (Raiza Dhillon, Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Maheshwari Chauhan) won bronze, marking India’s first-ever medal in the event. The men’s skeet team also secured bronze, while Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker finished fifth in the women’s 10m air pistol final.
In soft tennis, Jay Meena made history by winning India’s first-ever bronze medal in the sport. He reached the men’s singles semi-finals before losing to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka, but his performance guaranteed a podium finish for India. Other highlights included India’s kabaddi teams securing victories and strong showings in rowing, canoeing, and table tennis.
Medal Standings and Regional Rivalries
Japan emerged as the dominant force on the second day of competition, rising to second place in the medal standings with 46 medals (11 gold, 16 silver, 19 bronze). China maintained its lead with 53 medals, including 32 golds. India’s eighth-place ranking reflected its steady progress across multiple sports, though the nation faced stiff competition from regional powerhouses.
The 2026 Asian Games, hosted by Japan for the third time, featured 45 participating nations competing in 43 sports. The event, held from September 19 to October 4, has seen a mix of traditional powerhouses and emerging teams vying for dominance. India’s success in weightlifting and shooting underscored its growing strength in non-traditional medal disciplines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Mirabai Chanu’s performance in previous Asian Games?
Chanu finished ninth at the 2014 Incheon Games, was injured and unable to compete in 2018 Jakarta, and placed fourth at the 2023 Hangzhou Games after withdrawing from her final clean and jerk attempt.
How significant is Chanu’s silver for India’s weightlifting history?
It ended a 28-year wait for an Indian weightlifting medal at the Asian Games, with the last such achievement coming from Karnam Malleshwari’s silver in 1998. Chanu is now the second Indian weightlifter to win medals in all major international events.
What is India’s current medal tally at the 2026 Asian Games?
As of September 23, 2026, India has 11 medals: one gold (cricket), five silver (including Chanu’s), and five bronze, placing the nation eighth in the standings.
The success of Chanu and other Indian athletes at the 2026 Asian Games highlights the nation’s expanding sporting capabilities. With the competition set to conclude on October 4, the focus will shift to whether India can maintain its momentum and challenge for higher rankings in the final standings.
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