CWG 2026: Mirabai Chanu Smashes Commonwealth Records to Win Gold in Women's 48kg Weightlifting

India's weightlifting icon Saikhom Mirabai Chanu once again proved why she remains one of the greatest athletes in Commonwealth Games history, producing a dominant performance to win the women's 48kg gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on Sunday.

The Olympic silver medallist and former world champion was in a league of her own, breaking the Commonwealth record in the snatch with 85 kg before lifting 105 kg in the clean and jerk to establish another Commonwealth record total of 190 kg. The victory handed India another gold medal and reaffirmed Mirabai's status as the undisputed queen of Commonwealth weightlifting.

Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo Nyong claimed the silver medal with a combined lift of 168kg, while Malaysia's Irene Jane Henry secured bronze after finishing with a total of 162kg. For Mirabai, however, the evening was less about defeating her rivals and more about competing against the record books.

Long before Mirabai entered the competition, the battle for the remaining medals had already begun. Lifters from Scotland, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Wales, Nauru, England, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Malaysia all took their turns in the opening stages of the snatch competition. Scotland's Alex Mackay delighted the home crowd with successful early lifts, while young Nauruan Jo-Beth Deireragea impressed with composed performances.

Nigeria's Ruth Nyong and Malaysia's Irene Jane Henry also made confident starts, positioning themselves as Mirabai's closest challengers. But everyone inside the arena knew the competition would truly begin only when India's superstar walked onto the platform.

Mirabai chose to begin at 82kg, already enough to surpass the existing Commonwealth Games record. Her opening attempt, however, was unsuccessful after the bar drifted behind her.

There was no sign of concern. Returning moments later for her second attempt, Mirabai produced the effortless technique that has made her one of the world's finest weightlifters.

The 82kg lift comfortably secured a new Games record. She was not finished. With victory already moving firmly in her direction, Mirabai called for 85kg on her final attempt. The weight represented a new Commonwealth Record, eclipsing every lift previously achieved in the history of the Games. Displaying flawless balance and remarkable speed beneath the bar, she completed the lift with ease.

The successful attempt sent the crowd into applause as another record belonged to the Manipur lifter. It was yet another reminder that, at the Commonwealth level, Mirabai continues to set standards rather than chase them.

If there had been any remaining doubts, Mirabai removed them in the clean and jerk. While her rivals battled intensely for the silver and bronze medals, the Indian calmly waited for the weights to climb into her preferred range. Nigeria's Ruth Nyong produced a personal best to remain firmly in medal contention, while Malaysia's Irene Henry consistently delivered successful lifts to strengthen her hold on bronze. England's Tammy Wong, meanwhile, endured a frustrating evening, failing to convert crucial attempts that could have kept her medal hopes alive.

When Mirabai finally returned to the platform, she requested 105kg. The lift would not only secure the gold medal but also establish a new Commonwealth Games record in the clean and jerk and elevate her combined total to another Commonwealth record. Her opening attempt at 105kg received three red lights after technical issues prevented a successful completion.

The setback mattered little. With supreme confidence, Mirabai approached the bar once again. This time, she executed the lift perfectly. The bar travelled smoothly from the floor to her shoulders before she drove it overhead with complete control. Three white lights immediately confirmed a successful lift. The 105kg clean and jerk, combined with her 85kg snatch, produced a record-breaking total of 190kg, rewriting the Commonwealth Games record books once again.

Satisfied with her work, Mirabai declined her final attempt.

There was simply nothing left to prove.

With the gold medal effectively secured by Mirabai, attention shifted towards the fight for silver and bronze. Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo Nyong displayed remarkable determination. After missing her opening two clean and jerk attempts, she produced an outstanding final lift of 93kg to finish with a combined 168kg, securing the silver medal. Malaysia's Irene Jane Henry held her nerve to claim bronze with 162kg, while England's Tammy Wong narrowly missed the podium after failing to complete the lifts required to stay in contention.

Young Nauruan lifter Jo-Beth Deireragea also emerged as one of the competition's success stories, registering a personal best clean and jerk of 91kg.

Mirabai Chanu's latest triumph further strengthens an already extraordinary career. The Olympic silver medallist has long been India's most reliable weightlifting star, consistently delivering medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Championships and Commonwealth Games.

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Yet Sunday's performance carried added significance. Rather than merely winning, she dominated. Breaking Commonwealth records in both disciplines and the overall total demonstrated that even after years at the top, she continues to raise her own standards. The victory also serves as another reminder of the remarkable consistency that has defined her career.

While injuries have occasionally interrupted her journey, Mirabai has repeatedly returned stronger, maintaining her position among the world's elite weightlifters.

Mirabai Chanu has become much more than a champion weightlifter. She has evolved into the benchmark against which future Indian weightlifters will be measured. Her performances have inspired an entire generation of young athletes, particularly in the northeastern states, to take up the sport. Every time she steps onto the platform, expectations are immense, yet she continues to embrace that pressure with remarkable composure.

In Glasgow, she once again delivered exactly what India hoped for and even more. A Commonwealth Games gold medal, a Commonwealth record in the snatch, another in the clean and jerk, and a record-breaking total of 190 kg. It was a performance worthy of one of India's greatest sporting icons.

As the Indian flag rose above the podium and the national anthem echoed through the arena, Mirabai Chanu once again reminded the Commonwealth why she remains the undisputed queen of women's weightlifting.