Mirabai Chanu reminded the world why she remains the undisputed queen of Indian weightlifting, delivering a performance worthy of a champion as she clinched her third successive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the women’s 48kg category here on Sunday.
The result was never really in doubt; the only question was how far Mirabai would push the limits. And the Manipuri superstar answered in emphatic style, rewriting the record books with a stunning display of strength and composure.
Mirabai, 31, shattered the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, while also setting new CWG marks in clean and jerk and total.
Rishikanta Singh with his silver medal on Sunday
She lifted a commanding 190kg, with a best effort of 85kg in snatch and 105kg in clean and jerk.
Her dominance was such that silver medallist Ruth Asuquo Nyong of Nigeria finished a distant second with a total lift of 168kg, a staggering 22kg behind Mirabai’s winning effort.
The journey to another golden moment was not without a scare. Mirabai endured a nervous start, failing to register her opening snatch attempt at 82kg. But true to her champion’s temperament, she quickly regained her rhythm, showing the grit and class that have defined her remarkable career.
Even in the clean and jerk, Mirabai faced a brief moment of uncertainty, failing to complete her opening attempt. However, she responded like a champion, effortlessly hoisting the same 105kg weight in her second attempt. The lift not only secured the gold but also shattered the Commonwealth Games record in the clean and jerk category and bettered the total lift mark.
Meanwhile, two missed clean and jerk attempts proved costly for India’s Rishikanta Singh as he signed off with the silver medal in the men’s 60kg weightlifting competition.
The Manipuri lifter finished with a total of 264kg (121kg+143kg). Rishikanta was in the driver’s seat after producing a lift of 121kg in the snatch. But a knee injury suffered just a week before the event resurfaced when he moved to the clean and jerk.
85kg
Mirabai Chanu’s lift in the snatch — a Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games record
105kg
Mirabai Chanu’s lift in the clean and jerk — a Commonwealth Games record
121kg
Rishikanta Singh’s lift in the men’s 60kg snatch — a joint Commonwealth Games record alongside Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Kasdan