Mirabai Chanu creates History for India with Silver at Asian Games 2026

. Mirabai Chanu has won the Silver Medal at the Asian Games 2026 in the Weightlifting 49kg category. The Manipur maverick has now won her first Asian Games medal, with a scintillating performance at Aichi-Nagoya on Wednesday (September 23).

Chanu produced a total lift of 198kg, finishing second behind North Korea's Ri Song Gum. The Indian star lifted 87kg in the snatch and followed it up with 111kg in the clean and jerk to secure the silver medal.

Ri Song Gum dominated the competition, registering a combined total of 215kg, with 94kg in the snatch and 121kg in the clean and jerk. Indonesia's Wija Wana Luluk Diana completed the podium with a total of 191kg.

Mirabai Chanu wins first Asian Games Medal

For Chanu, the medal is particularly significant as she finally adds an Asian Games medal to her collection. The Manipuri weightlifter had endured several setbacks in her previous Asian Games appearances, making the silver in Nagoya another important milestone in her remarkable career.

Chanu's international resume already includes Olympic, World Championship and Commonwealth Games medals, but an Asian Games medal had remained absent from her collection.

The 2026 Games provided her another opportunity, and she delivered a composed performance in the 49kg category.

Her 87kg snatch placed her behind Ri Song Gum, but Chanu remained firmly in medal contention. She then lifted 111kg in the clean and jerk, taking her overall tally to 198kg.

India secures first Medal in 28 Years at Asian Games

India had gone 28 years without an Asian Games weightlifting medal before Chanu ended that drought in 2026. India's last Asian Games weightlifting medal before Mirabai Chanu's 2026 silver was won by Karnam Malleswari at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.