Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu wrote another golden chapter in Indian weightlifting history by winning the women’s 48kg title at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday.
In the process, she completed a hat-trick of Commonwealth Games gold medals and broke the Games and Commonwealth snatch records.
Mirabai Chanu stated that her family’s steadfast support during years of injuries and sacrifices was essential to her staying motivated throughout her career after she made history by winning a third straight Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Mirabai, who took home India’s first gold medal at the Glasgow Games, overcame a slow start to deliver a commanding performance; despite missing her first attempt at the 82kg snatch, the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist was able to lift that weight on her second attempt and subsequently upped the bar to 85kg on her last try, thereby establishing new Commonwealth Records in the event at the Games.
The Manipuri lifter had an eight-kilogram advantage going into the clean and jerk due to her record-setting snatch. She dropped the bar on her first try, but she responded like a champion by lifting 105kg on her second attempt, ensuring the gold medal long before the tournament was over.
Mirabai has once again proven her status as one of India’s best weightlifters with this win, which is her third straight gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, having previously won at the 2018 Games in Gold Coast and at the 2022 Games in Birmingham.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medalist recognized her long-time coach Vijay Sharma‘s part in keeping her constant at the highest level.
There are several things we must work hard for and stay focused on from the start, whether it’s the Games or a championship, and that includes how we must perform and how to sustain that performance. Vijay sir has always been there for me throughout this, she added.
Mirabai stated that she changed her strategy after failing her initial snatch try, even though she hadn’t initially intended to pursue greater lifts.
Because of my own error, I failed on my first attempt, but I wasn’t going to exert so much effort in these Games. So we were thinking… We also had to check what was happening in training and what else needed to be improved. She added that she felt this performance was really essential to her since she has struggled with her weight for so long, and it’s quite difficult for her to reduce it to 48kg.
After that initial disappointment, the 31-year-old made a incredible comeback and went on to give another outstanding performance. Mirabai was able to elevate 85kg on her last try and 82kg on her second effort, despite failing on her first attempt, establishing new records at the Commonwealth Games for the snatch in both the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth.
Following that, she participated in the clean and jerk, where she was eight kilograms heavier than the other participants. Although she was unable to raise the bar on her initial try, the Indian star made up for it by lifting 105kg on her second attempt, securing the gold medal without a hitch.
Mirabai made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and by taking home gold medals at the Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 Games as well.
Mirabai said that hearing the Indian national anthem was the most emotional part of the day for her, especially when she considered the occasion when she was on the podium’s highest step.
She stated that tears spontaneously come out of her eyes whenever the National Anthem is played and heard, tears of pleasure because she had won India’s first gold medal.
Tears come out spontaneously when we hear or sing our National Anthem. She concluded that they were happy tears since she had won India’s first gold medal.