Mirabai Chanu Wins CWG 2026 Gold with Record-Breaking Lifts

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Monday, 27 July 2026

India's star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu secured the country's first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after producing a record-breaking performance in the women's 48kg event in Glasgow. The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist lifted a combined 190kg, comprising an 85kg snatch and a 105kg clean and jerk, to shatter the Commonwealth Games records in all three categories and claim her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold.

Key Highlights:

• Mirabai Chanu clinched India's first gold at CWG 2026
• She broke Games records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total
• India added two more weightlifting silvers on the same day

Competing at the SEC Armadillo, Chanu recovered from a shaky start after failing her opening 82kg snatch attempt. She successfully cleared the same weight on her second lift before producing a flawless 85kg effort on her final attempt to set a new Games record. In the clean and jerk, she again stumbled with her opening 105kg attempt but bounced back immediately to complete the lift on her second try, sealing another Games record and the overall title.

The victory marks Chanu's fourth Commonwealth Games medal. She won silver in the 48kg category at Glasgow 2014 before claiming gold at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. Returning to the 48kg category after the 49kg division was removed from the Olympic weight classes, she once again dominated the competition.

Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo Nyong claimed the silver medal with a total lift of 168kg, while Malaysia's Irene Jane Henry took bronze with 167kg. Chanu finished an impressive 22kg ahead of the rest of the field.

Following her victory, Chanu described herself as "extremely happy and very emotional", reflecting on the sacrifices, injuries and mental challenges she overcame to return to the top of the podium. Her triumph also ensured that the Indian national anthem was played for the first time at Glasgow 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Chanu on social media, praising her exceptional achievement. He said she had once again showcased her remarkable talent and noted that her fourth Commonwealth Games medal and successive gold medals continue to inspire millions of Indians.

India enjoyed a strong opening in weightlifting, with Chanambam Rishikanta Singh winning silver in the men's 60kg event. The Manipur weightlifter finished with a combined lift of 264kg (121kg snatch and 143kg clean and jerk), finishing behind Malaysia's Mohamad Aniq Bin Kasdan, who won gold with 273kg. Kenya's Joshua Amunga Mboya secured bronze.

Muthupandi Raja added another silver in the men's 65kg category with a total lift of 286kg. Malaysia's Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamad claimed gold after setting Commonwealth Games records with a total of 299kg, while Papua New Guinea's Morea Baru took bronze.

Weightlifting has emerged as India's strongest discipline at the start of the Games, producing three of the country's first four medals. With Chanu leading the charge through another historic performance, India has made an impressive start to its Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign in Glasgow.