Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has clinched a silver medal in the women’s 48kg category at the World Weightlifting Championships 2025 in Førde, Norway, lifting a total of 199kg (84kg snatch + 115kg clean and jerk).
This marks her first world medal since 2022 and ends India’s three-year drought at the championships. The gold was won by North Korea’s Ri Song-gum, who set new world records with a 122kg clean and jerk and a 213kg total, while Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen took bronze with 198kg.
Chanu’s Strong Comeback Performance
Chanu began with a solid 84kg snatch, earning bronze in that segment, but missed two attempts at 87kg. She rebounded powerfully in the clean and jerk, successfully lifting 109kg, 112kg, and a final 115kg, matching her personal best from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Her 115kg lift secured silver in both the clean and jerk and the overall category.
This was her first appearance at the World Championships since finishing fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she lifted 199kg in the 49kg division. Chief coach Vijay Sharma had aimed for the team to breach the 200kg mark, and Chanu’s performance signals a strong return to form.
Journey of Resilience and Legacy
After battling back pain, shoulder, and wrist injuries that forced her to skip the 2023 Asian Championships, Chanu underwent months of rehabilitation at NIS Patiala. Her comeback began with a gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 in Ahmedabad, where she lifted 193kg, securing direct qualification for Glasgow 2026.
Her 2017 gold in Anaheim made her India’s first World Champion since Karnam Malleswari, and her 2022 silver in Bogota added to her legacy. With this latest medal, India’s total at the World Weightlifting Championships stands at 18—all won by women athletes.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Mirabai Chanu’s silver is not just a medal, it’s a testament to perseverance, discipline, and the quiet strength of women in sport. In a world that often overlooks the grind behind glory, her comeback from injury inspires millions to rise after every fall. As we celebrate her achievement, let us also invest in better support systems for athletes beyond applause.
