Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu secured a commanding gold medal in the women’s 48 kg category at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships held in Ahmedabad on August 25, 2025. She lifted a total weight of 193 kg, consisting of 84 kg in the snatch and 109 kg in the clean and jerk, breaking Commonwealth records in all three lifts, snatch, clean and jerk, and total.
This victory marked her first competition in a year after recovering from injury and coming off a challenging 2024 Paris Olympics performance where she finished fourth. Her win also earned her a direct qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Reflecting on her achievement, Mirabai expressed gratitude, stating, “This victory is the result of relentless hard work, my coaches’ guidance, and the constant encouragement of the nation. The home crowd’s support gave me immense motivation”.
Record-Breaking Performance Amid Challenges
Despite showing some signs of rustiness due to her year-long break, Mirabai successfully executed three lifts, though she missed a few attempts, including her opening snatch attempt of 84 kg and a clean and jerk attempt at 113 kg. She managed to clear 84 kg on her second snatch try and then moved to clean and jerk with lifts of 105 kg and 109 kg.
Her total was comfortably beyond her closest competitor, Irene Henry from Malaysia, who lifted 161 kg, winning the silver medal, and Wales’ Nikole Roberts, who took the bronze with 150 kg. Mirabai’s achievement also marked a return to the 48 kg weight category, a division she last competed in 2018 but in which she has previously won world and Commonwealth titles.
Her switch from the 49 kg Olympic weight class to 48 kg, necessitated by changes in competition categories, posed new challenges around weight management which Mirabai has embraced with strong support from her coach Vijay Sharma and the team’s support staff.
Context and Road Ahead
Mirabai’s win at the Commonwealth Championships not only adds another gold medal to her illustrious career but also serves as a key milestone in her preparation for upcoming global events. The 31-year-old athlete, who has battled injuries and intense competition over the years, used this tournament as a comeback platform after her longest break from international competition.
Her coach emphasized that the event was designed as a warm-up for next month’s World Championships, where the goal is to reach close to 200 kg total weight lifts. Managing the drop from the 49 kg to the 48 kg weight class required strict diet control and muscle retention efforts.
The event also saw strong performances from other Indian lifters, underscoring India’s growing prominence in Commonwealth weightlifting.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Mirabai Chanu’s comeback story is more than just a sports victory; it embodies the spirit of resilience, dedication, and the power of supportive communities.
The Logical Indian applauds her for turning setbacks into opportunities and inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue their dreams with determination and kindness. Success stories such as these promote unity and positivity, nurturing a culture of empathy and mutual encouragement across society.
Congratulations to @mirabai_chanu on winning Gold medal on her return to international circuit after Paris #Olympics. She lifted 193kgs [84kg Snatch+ 109kg Clean and Jerk] to win the 48kg Division at today's Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship. pic.twitter.com/ZS5GGDSwYY
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 25, 2025
