Glasgow — Weightlifting icon Mirabai Chanu delivered a breathtaking performance to win India’s first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Competing in the women’s 48kg category, the 31-year-old Olympic medalist shattered the Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, clean & jerk, and total lift to secure her third consecutive CWG gold medal.
Record-Breaking Performance in Glasgow
Mirabai put on a masterclass of strength and composure, lifting an impressive total of 190kg (85kg in Snatch + 105kg in Clean & Jerk).
Her victory was decisive, finishing 22kg ahead of silver medalist Ruth Asuquo Nyong of Nigeria, who managed a total lift of 168kg.
Key Highlights of Mirabai Chanu’s Gold Winning Effort:
- Snatch: Overcame an initial failed attempt at 82kg to effortlessly lift 85kg, setting a new Commonwealth Games record.
- Clean & Jerk: Responded to an early setback by hoisting 105kg on her second attempt to break another CWG record.
- Total Lift: Set a combined record of 190kg.
- Strategic Play: Having secured the gold, Mirabai wisely skipped her final attempt to prevent injury ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.
A Rare Hat-Trick of Commonwealth Games Gold Medals
With this victory, Mirabai Chanu joins an elite club of Indian athletes who have won three consecutive individual gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, having previously topped the podium in 2018 (Gold Coast) and 2022 (Birmingham).
India’s Medal Tally Rises to Three
Mirabai’s gold capped off a successful day for India in weightlifting. Earlier in the day, Rishikanta Singh grabbed a silver medal in the men’s 60kg weightlifting event.
Together with Jhandhu Kumar’s opening medal in Para Powerlifting, India’s total medal tally at the 2026 Games has now risen to three.
