Mirabai Chanu wins India's first gold in 2026 Commonwealth Games

Glasgow: Saikhom Mirabai Chanu once again proved why she remains the undisputed queen of Indian weightlifting, producing another record-breaking performance to clinch a historic third successive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the women's 48kg event on Sunday.

The victory also handed India its first gold medal of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, with the Manipuri star dominating the competition from start to finish.

For Mirabai, the only question was never whether she would win, but by how much. The 31-year-old answered in emphatic fashion, rewriting the record books with a total lift of 190kg, comprising 85kg in the snatch and 105kg in the clean and jerk.

Her performance saw her set a new Commonwealth record and Commonwealth Games record in the snatch with an 85kg lift, while the 105kg clean and jerk also established a new Commonwealth Games record. The combined total of 190kg was another Commonwealth Games record.

Mirabai's superiority was reflected in the final standings. Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo Nyong claimed the silver medal with a total lift of 168kg, finishing a massive 22kg behind the Indian champion.

The competition did not begin smoothly for Mirabai. She failed to register her opening 82kg snatch attempt, briefly raising hopes among her rivals.

However, the Olympic silver medallist responded in trademark fashion. She calmly returned to the platform, successfully lifting 82kg to set a new Commonwealth Games record before going one step further with an 85kg effort, creating a new Commonwealth record as well.

The clean and jerk also brought an early setback. Mirabai missed her opening attempt at 105kg, but quickly regrouped and nailed the same weight on her second attempt with remarkable composure.

The successful lift not only secured the gold medal but also established a new Commonwealth Games record in the clean and jerk, while taking her overall tally to a record 190kg.

With the title already secured and no rival capable of catching her, Mirabai opted to skip her final attempt, choosing not to take unnecessary risks with the Asian Games less than two months away.

The triumph marks Mirabai's third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal, following her victories at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. She had earlier announced herself on the Commonwealth stage by winning silver at the Glasgow 2014 Games, making her latest success another milestone in an extraordinary career that also includes an Olympic silver medal at Tokyo 2020.