Indian weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu achieved a historic feat by winning a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games. She secured this award in the women's 49 kg weight class. This marked her first podium finish at the Asian Games.
In the women's 49 kg category, Ri Song Gum from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea won the gold medal. For Mirabai, this achievement is particularly significant because she failed to win a medal and placed fourth at the previous Asian Games; this time, she overcame that barrier by taking silver.
With this medal, Mirabai Chanu has matched the legendary Indian weightlifter Karnam Malleswari. Mirabai is now the second Indian weightlifter to win medals at major international tournaments such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Para Games, World Championships, as well as Asian and Para Championships.
In her career, Mirabai already holds an Olympic silver medal, gold and silver medals from the World Championships, as well as numerous gold medals from the Para Games. The silver medal at the Asian Games is another major victory in her brilliant career.
Ri Song Gum, a two-time world champion from North Korea, demonstrated record performance by lifting 215 kg (94 kg + 121 kg) to win gold, completing a triumphant streak of titles at the Asian Games.
Chanu began the competition by successfully completing all three snatch attempts, lifting 83 kg, 85 kg, and 87 kg. Following this, she achieved her best lift in the clean and jerk—111 kg—and after several near-miss attempts, finally secured a medal at the Asian Games.
