Indian weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu delivered another memorable performance by winning India’s first gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Competing in the women’s 48kg category, Chanu dominated the event from the beginning and created history by claiming her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal, further cementing her status as one of India’s greatest weightlifters.
Record-Breaking Performance
Chanu produced an outstanding display by lifting a total of 198kg, consisting of 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk. Her remarkable effort not only secured the gold medal but also established three new Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift. Her performance left the rest of the field well behind and highlighted her continued dominance in international weightlifting.
India’s First Gold in Glasgow
With this victory, Chanu opened India’s gold medal account at the Glasgow Games. The achievement gave a significant boost to the Indian contingent and marked another proud moment for the country’s weightlifting programme. Her success also helped India climb the medals table during the early stages of the competition.
Historic Third Consecutive Commonwealth Title
The Glasgow triumph marked Chanu’s third straight Commonwealth Games gold, having previously won titles at the 2018 Gold Coast Games and the 2022 Birmingham Games. This remarkable consistency over three editions of the Games places her among India’s most successful Commonwealth athletes.
Battling Through Physical Challenges
After her victory, Mirabai revealed that preparing for the competition had been extremely difficult. To remain within the required weight category, she said she had gone without food for nearly two days, and in some accounts mentioned severe restrictions on both food and water before the weigh-in. Despite these physical challenges, she maintained her focus and produced a record-breaking performance on the competition platform.
Emotional Celebration
The victory was an emotional moment for Chanu, who celebrated with visible joy after completing her final successful lift. She thanked her family, coach Vijay Sharma, support staff, and fans for standing by her throughout her journey. Chanu said their encouragement played a vital role in helping her continue competing at the highest level.
A Career Filled With Success
Mirabai Chanu is already one of India’s most decorated weightlifters. She is an Olympic silver medallist, a World Champion, and now a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Her latest triumph in Glasgow further strengthens her legacy and inspires young athletes across India to pursue excellence in sport.
