Mirabai Chanu Wins Historic Third Consecutive Commonwealth Games Gold

Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu delivered yet another golden performance, clinching India’s first gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a combined lift of 190kg in the women’s 48kg weightlifting event.

The 31-year-old favourite overcame an early setback in the snatch before showcasing her class to secure her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold. Chanu’s triumph, coupled with Rishikanta Singh’s silver earlier in the day, took India’s medal tally to three at the 23rd edition of the Games.

Weightlifting has once again emerged as one of India’s strongest disciplines, with M Raja also set to compete later in the men’s 65kg category.

Chanu shines despite early hiccup

Chanu opened with an unsuccessful 82kg snatch attempt but bounced back brilliantly, clearing the weight on her second try before lifting 85kg in her final attempt to set a new Commonwealth Games record.

In the clean and jerk, she needed 105kg to seal the title. After missing her first attempt, she successfully lifted the weight on her second try to confirm the gold medal. Confident of victory, she skipped her final lift.

Nigeria’s Ruth Asuquo Nyong claimed the silver medal, while Malaysia’s Irene Jane Henry settled for bronze.

A Commonwealth Games legend

With this victory, Chanu completed a remarkable run of three straight Commonwealth Games gold medals, having also topped the podium at the 2018 Gold Coast, 2022 Birmingham and now the 2026 Games. She had earlier won silver at the 2014 Glasgow Games, taking her overall Commonwealth Games tally to four medals—three gold and one silver.

Her international achievements also include an Olympic silver medal and three World Championship medals (one gold and two silver), cementing her place among India’s greatest weightlifters.