Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has won the silver medal in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on September 23. Her historic podium finish also ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal.
Mirabai Chanu Lifts 198kg for Silver
Chanu produced a combined lift of 198kg, finishing second in the women’s 49kg category.
She successfully lifted 87kg in the snatch and followed it with 111kg in the clean and jerk to secure the silver medal.
Mirabai Chanu’s Final Total
- Snatch: 87kg
- Clean & Jerk: 111kg
- Total: 198kg
- Medal: 🥈 Silver
- Event: Women’s 49kg Weightlifting
India Ends 28-Year Wait
Chanu’s silver is India’s first Asian Games weightlifting medal since Karnam Malleswari’s silver at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games. The result brings Indian weightlifting back onto the Asian Games podium after nearly three decades.
The medal was particularly significant for Chanu, who had previously finished ninth at the 2014 Asian Games, missed the 2018 edition because of injury and finished fourth at Hangzhou 2023.
Ri Song Gum Takes Gold
North Korea’s Ri Song Gum won the gold medal with a huge 215kg total, while Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana claimed bronze with 191kg.
Ri also set world records during the competition, lifting 94kg in the snatch and 121kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with a record-breaking 215kg total.
Women’s 49kg Final Results
| Position | Athlete | Country | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Gold | Ri Song Gum | North Korea | 215kg |
| 🥈 Silver | Mirabai Chanu | India | 198kg |
| 🥉 Bronze | Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana | Indonesia | 191kg |
A Major Milestone in Mirabai Chanu’s Career
The Asian Games silver completes another major part of Chanu’s international medal collection. She already has an Olympic silver medal, World Championship medals and multiple Commonwealth Games titles.
Chanu had also said after the event that winning an Asian Games medal had been a dream she had pursued since the 2014 Asian Games.
Chanu Moved from Third to Silver
After the snatch round, Chanu was in third place with 87kg. She then lifted 111kg in the clean and jerk, moving ahead to secure the silver medal.
2. Third Asian Games Appearance
This was Chanu’s third Asian Games campaign. She finished ninth in 2014, missed the 2018 Games because of injury, and finished fourth in Hangzhou 2023.
3. Silver Completes Her Major Medal Collection
The Asian Games silver fills the major gap in Chanu’s medal collection, adding to her Olympic, World Championship and Commonwealth Games medals.
4. Ri Song Gum Sets New Records
Gold medallist Ri Song Gum of North Korea finished with 215kg and set world records in the 94kg snatch, 121kg clean and jerk, and 215kg total.
Final Result
Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 with a total lift of 198kg. Her achievement ended India’s 28-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Asian Games and added another major milestone to her decorated career.
