Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu made a triumphant return to competitive weightlifting, striking gold at the Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad on Monday and setting new benchmarks in her original 48kg category.
The 30-year-old Indian star, competing for the first time since her fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, lifted a total of 193kg, 84kg in snatch and 109kg in clean and jerk, to finish far ahead of her rivals. Her performance not only secured the gold but also shattered the Commonwealth records in both lifts.
“This victory is the result of relentless hard work, my coaches’ guidance, and the constant encouragement of the nation. It’s a great confidence boost as I prepare for the World Championships in October, and I’ll continue to give my best to make India proud on the international stage,” Mirabai told reporters after the win.
Returning to the 48kg class, which she last contested in 2018, Chanu has adapted quickly to changes brought about by the International Weightlifting Federation’s restructuring of categories. The 49kg division, where she claimed Olympic silver in Tokyo 2021, was scrapped earlier this year.
Also read: Mirabai Chanu set for comeback at Commonwealth C’ships
Despite an opening stumble when she failed her first snatch attempt at 84kg, Chanu quickly regained composure, succeeding at the same weight on her second attempt before narrowly missing 89kg. In clean and jerk, she cleared 105kg and 109kg before falling short on 113kg.
Malaysia’s Irene Henry took silver with 161kg (73kg + 88kg), while Wales’ Nikole Roberts claimed bronze with 150kg (70kg + 80kg).
The triumph gave Chanu her third Commonwealth Championships gold in the 48kg division, adding to her titles from 2013 and 2017, alongside a silver medal in Pune in 2015.
Addressing the packed venue, Chanu acknowledged the support she received on home soil. “Competing on home soil after a year since the Paris Olympics made this moment even more special, and the support from the crowd gave me immense motivation,” she said.
The Commonwealth Championships also serve as a qualifying event for next year’s Commonwealth Games, where Chanu will be one of India’s strongest medal contenders. But her immediate focus remains on October’s World Championships, followed by the Asian Games, one of the few prestigious competitions where she is yet to earn a medal.
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