Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Aug 25: Olympic silver medallist and former world champion Mirabai Chanu made a triumphant return to competitive weightlifting, clinching gold in the women’s 48kg category at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships on Monday. This marked her first appearance since narrowly missing a podium finish at the Paris Olympics last year.

Chanu lifted 84kg in snatch and 109kg in clean and jerk, totalling 193kg, which was enough to top the podium. The win also earned her a direct qualification spot for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, as the event doubles as a qualifier.

Competing in the 48kg category for the first time — following the IWF’s scrapping of her usual 49kg division — Chanu added a fifth medal to her Commonwealth Championships tally. She previously secured gold in 2013, 2017, and 2019, and silver in 2015.

India’s campaign in the tournament, which features 300 athletes from 31 countries, began on a high note. Young lifter Preetismita Bhoi won gold in the 44kg category, lifting a total of 150kg (63kg snatch, 87kg clean and jerk), and setting new Youth Commonwealth Records in both clean and jerk and total.

In the men’s 56kg category, Dharmajyoti also delivered gold for India with a combined lift of 224kg (97kg snatch, 127kg clean and jerk), setting new Commonwealth Youth Records as well.

With a 16-member senior squad, supported by four reserves, and a strong presence in youth and junior categories, India’s weightlifting contingent has made an impressive start, with Mirabai Chanu once again at the forefront of the nation's success.