Daijiworld Media Network - Tashkent

Tashkent, Oct 3: Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu added yet another feather to her illustrious career by clinching a silver medal in the 48kg category at the World Weightlifting Championships, continuing her remarkable run at the global stage.

The 2017 world champion and 2022 silver medallist returned to the 48kg class after competing in 49kg, delivering a total lift of 199kg — comprising 84kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk — to secure her third podium finish at the prestigious event.

Chanu, however, endured a shaky start in the snatch section, failing twice at 87kg before settling for 84kg. Showing her trademark grit, the former world record holder in clean and jerk bounced back in spectacular fashion, executing all three clean and jerk attempts with ease — 109kg, 112kg and 115kg.

Significantly, the last time Chanu lifted 115kg was at the Tokyo Olympics 2021, where she earned a historic silver medal for India.

India’s chief coach Vijay Sharma had earlier shared that the goal for these World Championships was to breach the 200kg mark and gradually return Chanu to her previous best lifts from the 49kg division.

The gold medal went to North Korea’s Ri Song Gum, who dominated with a record-breaking total of 213kg (91kg snatch, 122kg clean and jerk). Ri’s final two clean and jerk lifts — 120kg and 122kg — set new world records in both total and clean and jerk.

Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen claimed the bronze with a combined effort of 198kg (88kg snatch, 110kg clean and jerk).

Chanu’s silver medal underlines her consistency on the world stage and boosts her confidence ahead of the upcoming qualifying season for the Paris 2024 Olympics.