Mirabai Chanu wins third straight Commonwealth Games weightlifting gold at Glasgow 2026
Mirabai Chanu won a third consecutive Commonwealth Games weightlifting gold at Glasgow 2026 and met Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in New Delhi on August 3, 2026. The Olympic silver medallist said overcoming injuries, weight management and training problems made the Glasgow victory especially meaningful.
Chanu's Glasgow triumph followed golds in the 48 kg category at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and in the 49 kg category at the 2022 Birmingham edition, completing a CWG hat-trick. Her résumé, as stated in the report, also includes an Olympic silver in the 49 kg class, three World Championship medals including a gold in 2017, and an Asian Championship bronze; the article noted that an Asian Games medal would complete her set of major multi-sport and weightlifting event medals.
Speaking to ANI, Mirabai described the lead-up to Glasgow: "I am thrilled with this third gold medal at the Commonwealth Games; I faced many challenges, ranging from physical issues and training hurdles to injuries. I was under immense pressure due to my body weight; competing in the 48kg category is extremely difficult, and managing the weight while training is a huge challenge. But this is a part of our life, and I faced it. Having faced all of that and brought home a gold medal for India feels like a massive accomplishment."
On being felicitated by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Chanu commented: "Whether we win a medal or not, the welcome we receive upon returning to India is wonderful; we are honored and treated so well. It feels like a huge achievement for us. I am really happy. I had thought right from the beginning that I wanted to make the best of this opportunity during this CWG, because you do not know what could happen leading up to the next CWG."
The report noted the 2026 Commonwealth Games used a compact format that excluded several traditional Indian medal events, citing the removal of sports such as shooting, wrestling and badminton. Despite the condensed programme, India finished fourth in the Glasgow medals table, collecting 39 medals in total: 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze.
A ceremonial handover during Glasgow's Closing Ceremony officially passed the Commonwealth Games flag to India for the 2030 centenary edition in Ahmedabad, marking the Games' return to India after the 2010 New Delhi edition and the first time Gujarat will host. The article reported that the handover was presented as the start of preparations for the 2030 Games, and that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aims to restore traditional disciplines and build world-class infrastructure to target a record-breaking medal haul.
Chanu concluded her comments with a commitment aimed at her next major multi-sport target, saying, "I will certainly put in my best effort for the Asian Games," as she and officials began celebrations and preparatory steps following Glasgow 2026.
