Mirabai Chanu won India's first gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Sunday in the women's 48 kg weightlifting event [1, 2].
The victory cements Chanu's status as a dominant force in international weightlifting and marks a historic milestone for India's medal tally in Victoria.
Chanu secured the gold by lifting 85 kg in the snatch and 105 kg in the clean-and-jerk [1]. This resulted in a total combined lift of 190 kg [1], which established a new Games record for the category.
This victory marks the third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold for Chanu [3]. She is now only the third Indian athlete to achieve three consecutive gold medals at the Games, joining the ranks of Sushil Kumar, and Vinesh Phogat [2].
"This is one of the proudest moments of my career," Chanu said [2].
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the athlete's achievement along with fellow medalist Rishikanta Singh. "I am extremely proud of Mirabai and Rishikanta for making India shine on the Commonwealth stage," Modi said [3].
At 31 years old, Chanu's performance has redefined the expectations for the sport within the country [1]. A sports analyst for NDTV said that Chanu's performance has set a new benchmark for Indian weightlifting [2].
“"This is one of the proudest moments of my career."”
Chanu's achievement is not merely a single victory but a demonstration of sustained excellence across three different Games cycles. By setting a new total record of 190 kg, she has shifted the competitive baseline for the 48 kg category, placing immense pressure on international rivals to increase their output to remain competitive.
