India's decorated weightlifter Mirabani Chanu won her maiden medal at the Asian Games 2026. Mirabani won a silver medal in the women's 49kg category to end India's wait for a medal in weightlifting at Asian Games that lasted 28 years. Mirabai lifted a total of 198 kg to win the silver medal featuring 87kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk.
The gold medal was won by North Korea's Ri Song Gum who lifted a total of 215 kg. It was Ri Song's third consecutive Asian Games gold medal. The bronze medal was claimed by Indonesia's Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana who lifted a total of 191 kg.
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The last time an Indian weightlifter won a medal at Asian Games was in the 1998 edition. Karnam Malleswari won the silver medal in Bangkok.
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Mirabai’s long wait ends, an Asian Games in kitty
This was Mirabai's third appearance in Asian Games. In the 2014 edition in Incheon, she finished ninth. She couldn't participate in Jakarta Asian Games in 2018 due to a back injury. In the previous edition in Hangzhou, she missed out on a bronze medal by a whisker as she got injured during a clean and jerk attempt.
"I have dreamed of winning an Asian Games medal since I stepped into weightlifting. Something or the other happened before or during the Asian Games, but this time I have fulfilled my dream," she said.
"I am yet to decide on how to go about LA 28. The qualification process starts in December. I will enjoy this medal for a while and will decide," she added.
Another silver for India
This is India's fifth silver medal at the event. So far, they have a gold, five silver and as many bronze medals.