Mirabai Chanu Begins Asian Games Campaign in 49kg Category
The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist returns to the continental event seeking her first Asian Games medal.
AICHI NAGOYA, Sept 23: Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu began her campaign in the women’s 49kg weightlifting competition at the 2026 Asian Games on Wednesday, marking another attempt to secure an Asian Games medal.
Chanu has yet to finish on the podium at the Asian Games. She placed ninth at the 2014 Incheon Games and missed the 2018 edition because of injury. At the 2023 Hangzhou Games, she finished fourth after competing with a thigh injury.
The 32-year-old lifter entered the competition as one of the prominent names in India’s weightlifting contingent. Her event was among the major medal attractions for the Indian team on Day 5 of the Games.
India also fielded Gyaneshwari Yadav in the women’s weightlifting programme, while shooting, badminton, hockey and other disciplines featured prominently in the day’s schedule.
Chanu’s participation comes as Indian weightlifting seeks to add to its Asian Games medal record, with the country’s last medal in the sport at the continental event coming through Karnam Malleswari’s silver in 1998.
