Imphal: Saikhom Mirabai Chanu from Manipur once again made the country proud after clinching a silver medal in the women’s 49 kg event at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya on Wednesday.
The medal marks her first at the Asian Games, completing an extraordinary collection that already includes medals from the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
This is also India’s first Asian Games medal in weightlifting since Karnam Malleswari won bronze in 1998, ending a 28-year wait for the country.
Chanu lifted 87 kg in the snatch and 111 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 198 kg, securing India’s silver medal in weightlifting at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.
North Korea’s Ri Song Gum secured the gold medal with a total lift of 215 kg, while Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana won bronze with a total of 191 kg.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Mirabai for her performance in the weightlifting event, in which she recorded a total lift of 198 kg at the Asian Games 2026.
“A special silver for Saikhom Mirabai Chanu! Congratulations to her on winning the medal in the women’s 49 kg weightlifting event. Her determination and consistency continue to inspire the nation. India is proud of her. Best wishes to her future endeavours,” Modi posted on Facebook.
Similarly, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh congratulated Mirabai for bringing immense pride to Manipur and the nation.
“Her strength, determination and perseverance have once again brought immense pride to Manipur and India,” said CM Khemchand.
Also Read: After Nepal’s Himalayan disaster, Darjeeling must confront its own environmental crisis