Ahmedabad, India – Former world champion Mirabai Chanu made a triumphant return to competitive action, winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 on Monday. Competing for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympics, Chanu’s victory in the women’s 48kg category also secured her a direct qualification for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Chanu finished with a total lift of 193kg (84kg snatch + 109kg clean and jerk), setting new Commonwealth Championship records in all three categories.
A Return to Form
Despite a shaky start, Chanu quickly found her rhythm. She lifted 84kg in the snatch on her second attempt after missing the first. In the clean and jerk, she successfully lifted 105kg and then 109kg before failing on her final attempt at 113kg.
Her total of 193kg was a clear podium-topper. India’s Soumya Sunil Dalvi took the silver with a total of 177kg, while Nigeria’s Ruth Asouquo Nyong won bronze with 167kg.
Chanu, who previously competed in the 49kg division—where her personal best stands at 205kg—is now competing in the 48kg class after her pet division was discontinued under revised International Weightlifting Federation weight categories.
𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝
Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu lifted a total weight of 193 kg to win a gold medal🥇 at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad.… pic.twitter.com/cAHqsv60nP
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 25, 2025
India’s Dominance Continues
India’s success was not limited to the senior category, as young lifters also delivered impressive performances:
- Dharmajyoti Dewgharia won gold in the men’s 56kg youth division with a total of 224kg, setting new youth Commonwealth records in both the clean and jerk and total lift.
- Payal also won gold, setting youth Commonwealth records across the board with a total of 166kg in the youth women’s 48kg category.
- Former youth world champion Preetismita Bhoi claimed gold in the youth 44kg women’s category with a total lift of 150kg.
The championships, featuring over 300 lifters from 31 nations, serve as a key qualification event for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
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