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Mirabai Chanu Ends 28-Year Asian Games Weightlifting Drought

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 5:12 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Mirabai Chanu Ends Drought

Mirabai Chanu won silver in the women’s 49 kg weightlifting at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.
She posted a 198 kg total, with an 87 kg snatch and a 111 kg clean-and-jerk.
The medal ended India’s 28-year Asian Games weightlifting medal drought since Karnam Malleswari’s 1998 bronze.
Chanu aims to move to the 53 kg class for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, focusing on muscle gain.

Summary

Mirabai Chanu Coaches Future

Mirabai Chanu now coaches at Sharma’s academy in Ghaziabad, training next-generation Indian weightlifters.
She told trainees “If I can do it, others can too,” urging pursuit of elite sport.
Her career spans a Rio failure, Tokyo silver, Hangzhou fourth and Asian Games silver, showing persistence.
She said the Asian Games silver completes her title set and noted no clear successor, urging talent pipelines.

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Mirabai Chanu Ends Drought

Mirabai Chanu won silver in the women’s 49 kg weightlifting at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.
She posted a 198 kg total, with an 87 kg snatch and a 111 kg clean-and-jerk.
The medal ended India’s 28-year Asian Games weightlifting medal drought since Karnam Malleswari’s 1998 bronze.
Chanu aims to move to the 53 kg class for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, focusing on muscle gain.

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