Indian star weightlifter and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu has made a tremendous comeback after a year-long hiatus. She created history by winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 held on Monday.
Sports News: Indian weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu has once again brought glory to the country with a शानदार (fantastic) comeback. After a long gap of one year, she participated in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and won the gold medal with her experience and b performance. Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai set a new record by lifting a total of 193 kg (84 kg snatch + 109 kg clean and jerk) in the women's 48 kg category. She secured first place by breaking all the records in the championship—total, snatch, and clean and jerk—in all three categories.
Mirabai Chanu's Strong Comeback After Injury
Mirabai had not been seen in any international competition since the Paris Olympics 2024 last year. There, she finished fourth, and after that, she remained out of action for a long time due to injury. During this time, she had to struggle with knee and back problems, due to which recovery took time. This was her first major competition after the injury, and Mirabai performed brilliantly on the strength of her experience and passion. A special thing is that she has returned to the 48 kg category this time, leaving the 49 kg category, because 49 kg is no longer a part of the Olympics.
Mirabai's performance in the snatch round was fluctuating. In the first attempt, she tried to lift 84 kg but was unsuccessful due to loss of balance. In the second attempt, she confidently lifted the same weight and took the lead. In the third attempt, she tried to lift 89 kg, but this attempt was unsuccessful. Despite this, her 84 kg in snatch was considered the best.
Spectacular Performance in Clean and Jerk
Mirabai presented a real glimpse of her strength in the clean and jerk. She lifted 105 kg in the first attempt. After this, in the second attempt, she increased it to 109 kg and was successful. In the third attempt, she aimed for 113 kg, but it was not successful. In this way, Mirabai's total score was 193 kg, which is a new record in this competition.
Malaysia's Erine Henry won the silver medal with a total of 161 kg (73 kg + 88 kg). Wales' Nicole Roberts won the bronze medal with a total of 150 kg (70 kg + 80 kg). Mirabai was far ahead of these players and proved that on the strength of fitness and experience, she is still among the best weightlifters in the world.
This is not the first time that Mirabai has achieved success in the 48 kg category. Before this, she has won the World Championship title and two medals in the Commonwealth Games in the same category. However, after 2018, she was competing in the 49 kg category. This time, her return to 48 kg is a new chapter in her career and it is a positive sign for the future.
