India's star weightlifter and Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu has once again made history. She won a silver medal at the World Weightlifting Championships 2025 held in Førde, Norway, by lifting a total of 199 kilograms.
SPORTS NEWS: Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu delivered a stellar performance at the ongoing World Weightlifting Championships in Førde, Norway, securing a silver medal. This marks her third medal in this prestigious tournament. Mirabai has now become the third Indian weightlifter to win the most medals at the World Championships.
Prior to this, she had won gold in the 48 kg category at the championship held in Anaheim, USA, in 2017, and a silver medal in the 49 kg category in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2022.
Third World Championship Medal
Mirabai Chanu competed in the 48 kg weight category in this competition. She lifted 84 kg in snatch and 115 kg in clean & jerk, achieving a total score of 199 kg. This performance earned her the silver medal. Previously, she won a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships in Anaheim, USA, and a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships in Bogotá, Colombia. Now, by securing another silver medal in 2025, Mirabai has become India's third weightlifter to claim three medals at the World Championships.
In this event, the gold medal went to Ri Song Gum of North Korea, who lifted a total of 213 kg. Meanwhile, China's athlete Thanyathan had to settle for the bronze medal. Thanyathan was four kilograms ahead of Mirabai in the snatch round, but Mirabai's excellent performance in clean & jerk surpassed her, securing the silver medal.
Mirabai Chanu's Comeback After Injury
The past few years have been challenging for Mirabai Chanu, as she battled injuries. On several occasions, she had to miss competitions. However, she did not give up and made a spectacular comeback after hard work. Earlier this year, she signaled her return to form by winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championships held in Ahmedabad. Winning a silver medal in Norway has proven to be another milestone in her career.
After her victory, Mirabai first thanked her coach, Vijay Sharma, under whose guidance she navigated this challenging journey. Mirabai has now joined a select group of Indian athletes who have won three or more medals at the World Championships. Before her, Kunjarani Devi and Karnam Malleswari had achieved this feat. Kunjarani Devi won silver medals seven times (1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997). Karnam Malleswari secured a total of four medals, winning gold in 1994 and 1995, and bronze in 1993 and 1996.
