Chanu Lifts Third CWG Gold with Record-Breaking Display

Ace weightlifter Mirabai Chanu secures India's first gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

In a dominant display of athletic prowess, Indian weightlifting icon Saikhom Mirabai Chanu claimed her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Competing in the women’s 48kg category, the 31-year-old Tokyo Olympics silver medallist delivered a stellar total lift of 190kg to propel India's overall medal tally to three. Chanu's record-shattering performance not only marked India's maiden gold of the ongoing multi-sport quadrennial event but also etched her name deeper into international weightlifting history by completing a prestigious hat-trick of successive yellow metals.

Record-Breaking Lifts and Dominant Execution

According to official sports scorecards and event technical data from Glasgow 2026, Chanu established absolute superiority over the 10-woman field from the opening apparatus.

• Snatch Record: After an initial missed attempt at 82kg, Chanu secured a successful second lift before breaking the Commonwealth and Games record with a phenomenal 85kg effort.

• Clean and Jerk Mastery: In the clean and jerk section, she cleared 105kg on her second attempt, remaining the only competitor in the three-figure weight bracket.

• Strategic Withdrawal: Having secured the top podium spot mathematically, Chanu opted to skip her final clean and jerk attempt to preserve physical readiness for upcoming international engagements, including the Asian Games.

National Accolades and Broader Medal Standings

The historic victory sparked nationwide celebrations, drawing immediate official commendations from government leadership and sports bodies alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the performance on social media, describing Chanu's fourth career CWG medal (including her 2014 Glasgow silver) as a "glorious chapter in Indian weightlifting". Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo Nyong secured the silver medal with a total lift of 168kg, while Malaysia’s Irene Jane Henry took bronze with 167kg. Chanu's triumph complements earlier podium finishes by compatriot weightlifter Rishikanta Singh (silver) and para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar (bronze), elevating India's competitive standing early in the tournament schedule.

Why It Matters

For Indian sports fans and aspiring athletes, Chanu's consistent excellence underscores the global competitiveness of domestic weightlifting talent. For the national delegation, early gold-medal momentum builds crucial psychological leverage across upcoming disciplines.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Athlete: Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (Women's 48kg category).

• Total Lift: 190kg (85kg snatch + 105kg clean and jerk).

• Milestone: Third consecutive CWG gold (following 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham).

• Medal Standing: India's first gold and third overall medal at Glasgow 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Commonwealth Games gold medals has Mirabai Chanu won?

Mirabai Chanu has won three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals (2018, 2022, and 2026), alongside a silver medal from the 2014 Glasgow Games.

What records did Mirabai Chanu break at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games?

She broke the Commonwealth and Games records in the snatch category with an 85kg lift, and set a new Games record in the clean and jerk with 105kg, totaling 190kg.

Where did India stand in the medal tally following Chanu's win?

Chanu's victory marked India's first gold and brought the nation's overall medal count to three at the ongoing Glasgow Games.

Source: Olympics.com, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Commonwealth Games Federation