CWG 2026: Mirabai Chanu wins historic third straight Commonwealth Games gold, gives India first title

Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu scripted another chapter in her remarkable career by clinching a historic third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the women’s 48kg weightlifting event, handing India its first gold medal of the Glasgow 2026 Games.

The 31-year-old, who had previously topped the podium at the Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, completed her hat-trick of titles with another commanding display on Sunday.

Advertisement

Mirabai laid the foundation for victory in the snatch, where she successfully lifted 85kg to set a new Commonwealth Games record and move into the lead.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: India’s Mirabai Chanu won Gold Medal in the Women’s 48kg Weightlifting event.@mirabai_chanu
#BreakingNews #CommonwealthGames2026 #TheStatesman pic.twitter.com/6XHdDXvSIp

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) July 26, 2026

Mirabai Chanu dominates to complete golden hat-trick

The Indian star opened the clean and jerk with an unsuccessful attempt at 82kg but bounced back immediately to clear the weight on her second lift. She then comfortably completed another successful lift before calling for an impressive 105kg, which she hoisted with authority to seal the gold medal and cap off another dominant campaign.

The triumph made Mirabai the first Indian to win three successive Commonwealth Games gold medals in weightlifting and extended her legacy as one of the country’s greatest athletes.

Rishikanta opens India’s medal account with silver

Earlier in the day, Rishikanta Singh Chanambam claimed India’s first medal of Day 4 with silver in the men’s 60kg category.

The Manipuri weightlifter finished with a total lift of 264kg (121kg snatch + 143kg clean and jerk). He grabbed headlines by breaking the Commonwealth Games snatch record with a 121kg lift before Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Kasdan matched the mark later in the competition.

Kasdan eventually secured gold with a Games-record total of 273kg (121kg + 152kg), while Kenya’s Joshua Mboya claimed bronze with 260kg.

Rishikanta remained in contention for gold until his final clean and jerk attempt at 151kg but was unable to complete the lift, settling for a hard-earned silver after an impressive performance.