Mirabai Chanu delivered an unforgettable moment for India at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after winning the women’s 48kg weightlifting gold in Glasgow on Sunday. The Olympic silver medallist secured India’s first gold medal of the Games before breaking down during the medal ceremony as the Indian national anthem played and the tricolour was raised.
The emotional scene quickly became one of the defining moments of the competition, reflecting not just another title but the years of sacrifice behind her remarkable success.
The victory also placed Mirabai in the Commonwealth Games record books. She became the first female weightlifter to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals, having previously topped the podium in 2018 and 2022. The Glasgow triumph added another milestone to a career that already includes Olympic and World Championship success, while extending her dominance on the Commonwealth stage.
Mirabai Chanu Overcomes Early Miss to Claim Third Straight CWG Gold
The outcome of the contest was quite a twist from how it all started. Mirabai stumbled on her first snatch attempt at 82kg, but she quickly bounced back, nailing the same weight on her second try and setting a new Commonwealth Games record in the process. She then upped the ante with an impressive 85kg on her final snatch attempt, further solidifying her lead in the competition. The clean and jerk followed a similar storyline.
After a hiccup with her first attempt at 105kg, she came back strong to complete the lift on her second try, creating yet another Commonwealth Games record and putting the gold medal out of reach for her competitors. With a combined total of 85kg in the snatch and 105kg in the clean and jerk, she clinched a resounding victory.
This win also marked a beautiful full-circle moment in Glasgow. It was here, in the same city, that Mirabai had earned a Commonwealth silver back in 2014, while her fellow athlete Sanjita Chanu took home the gold.
Fast forward twelve years, and she returned as one of India’s top athletes, leaving with another title, a handful of new Games records, and yet another milestone under her belt. This victory added to an already stellar 2026 season, where she had previously set a personal best total of 205kg at the Senior National Weightlifting Championships, rewriting the national record books in the process. But beyond the records and achievements, what truly stood out was the emotional moment.