Sport · India Bureau
Mirabai Chanu clinches silver at Asian Games, ends India's 28-year weightlifting drought
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has secured a silver medal at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, marking India's return to the podium in the sport after nearly three decades. The achievement ends a long medal drought since weightlifter Karnam Malleswari's historic performance at the 1995 Bangkok Asian Games.
LSN India ·
Mirabai Chanu delivered a strong performance to claim the silver medal in her category at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, fulfilling her long-standing aspiration for a major continental medal. The 28-year medal gap represents a significant achievement for Indian weightlifting, which has struggled to replicate the success of the 1990s era.
Malleswari's bronze medal at the 1995 Bangkok Asian Games had remained India's sole weightlifting medal at the continental championship for nearly three decades. That historic achievement had set a benchmark for Indian weightlifters, but subsequent editions of the Asian Games saw the nation unable to secure a podium finish in the sport.
Chanu's silver medal represents not only a personal milestone but also a resurgence for Indian weightlifting on the Asian stage. Her performance in Aichi-Nagoya demonstrates the country's renewed competitive strength in a sport that has produced some of India's most decorated athletes over the years.
The medal adds to India's overall tally at the current Asian Games and provides encouragement for future weightlifting contingents heading into upcoming continental and international competitions.