Mirabai Chanu Wins India’s First Gold at Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu Claims Historic Third Successive Gold in Glasgow

Indian weightlifting star Saikhom Mirabai Chanu delivered a commanding performance at the 23rd Commonwealth Games, capturing the women’s 48kg title on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. The victory marked India’s first gold medal of the Glasgow Games.

The 31-year-old Manipuri superstar lifted a total of 190kg, asserting total dominance over the field.

Mirabai Chanu reminded the world why she remains the undisputed queen of Indian weightlifting, delivering a performance worthy of a champion as she clinched her third successive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the women’s 48kg category on Sunday (July 26, 2026). The result was never really in doubt; the only question was how far Mirabai would push the limits. And the Manipuri superstar answered in emphatic style, rewriting the record books with a stunning display of strength and composure.

Record-Breaking Lifts in Snatch and Clean and Jerk

Chanu’s path to the gold medal involved overcoming early nerves before rewriting the record books. She set new Commonwealth and Games records across both disciplines of the competition.

The 31-year-old shattered the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, while also setting new CWG marks in clean and jerk and total. She lifted a commanding 190kg, with a best effort of 85kg in snatch and 105kg in clean and jerk. Chanu’s competition began when everyone else in the field was done.

The journey to another golden moment was not without a scare. Mirabai endured a nervous start, failing to register her opening snatch attempt at 82kg. But true to her champion’s temperament, she quickly regained her rhythm, showing the grit and class that have defined her remarkable career. Star weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu opened India’s gold medal account in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, winning the women’s 48kg category title with a record total lift in Glasgow on Sunday.

Rishikanta Singh Wins Silver in Weightlifting at Commonwealth Games

A Storied Commonwealth Games Legacy

Sunday’s victory extends an exceptional multi-sport career on the Commonwealth stage. The Glasgow venue holds special significance for Chanu, who won her first major multi-sport medal—a silver—at the Glasgow 2014 Games.

It was her third gold on the trot in the Commonwealth Games, having also bagged the yellow metal in the 2018 and 2022 editions. The Tokyo Olympics silver medal winner had also won a silver in the 2014 Games held in Glasgow.

Day 3 and Day 4 Campaign Context for the Indian Contingent

Chanu’s victory anchors a broader 125-member Indian contingent competing across 13 sports in Glasgow, including four para sports, headlined by javelin great Neeraj Chopra, Olympic medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, boxing star Lovlina Borgohain, and debutants like Gurindervir Singh and Gyaneshwari Yadav, as detailed in scheduling data released for the multi-sport event. The Commonwealth Games are back, and this time the action shifts to Glasgow, Scotland — the same city that stepped in as host after Victoria pulled out. The 2026 edition kicked off with early action in bowls on the morning of July 23, followed by a grand Opening Ceremony at the OVO Hydro before the games run all the way through to August 2.

As Chanu claimed her gold, other Indian athletes were active across multiple venues. In weightlifting, Rishikanta Singh is currently in action in the men’s 60kg final, getting India’s weightlifting campaign underway in Glasgow, alongside Raja Mathupandi who also took to the platform. In bowls, Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh suffered their first defeat, losing 7-5, 1-10, 3-0 to Namibia’s Amanda Steenkamp and Diana Viljoen in a tie-break after fighting back from an opening-set loss where they squandered a 5-0 lead. The Indian duo faced England later in their final Group B match with a place in the semi-finals at stake, having started the day second in Group B with three wins from three matches.