Who Is Mirabai Chanu? Meet The Girl From Small Village In Manipur Who Became India's Weightlifting Queen

Mirabai Chanu has achieved a new milestone by winning her 3rd gold and 4th Commonwealth medal at CWG 2026. With this new achievement, she has been crowned the Indian Weightlifting Queen by her admirers for consequently making the country proud on international platforms. She has achieved a new milestone by winning her 3rd gold and 4th Commonwealth medal at CWG 2026. Know about her inspiring journey and how she became a new face of Indian weightlifting.

Who is Mirabai Chanu?

Mirabai Chanu, an Indian weightlifter, hails from a small village in Manipur and is the youngest of six siblings. She has created several records in her career, including winning a gold medal in the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships, two silver medals at the World Weightlifting Championships, three gold medals and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Commonwealth Sport (@commonwealthsport)

She also won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and set a world record in clean & jerk in the 49 kg category with a lift of 119 kg (262 lb) in the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships.

For her incredible contribution to Indian sports, she was also awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour, and the Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honour.

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How did Mirabai Chanu react after securing gold at CWG 2026?

Mirabai Chanu was in tears after she heard the Indian national anthem at the Commonwealth Games while being awarded the gold medal.

While talking about her big win, Mirabai Chanu wrote on Instagram, "I am pleased with my performance and truly humbled to win my third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal. This being my fourth Commonwealth Games appearance makes this achievement even more special."

"I know it was a very emotional moment when our flag went up with the National Anthem in the arena, which made me realize that I have fulfilled my promise given to my mother and Coach Vijay sir that I will win Gold again," she further said.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu)

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How did Mirabai Chanu begin weightlifting?

Mirabai was reportedly able to carry heavy firewood easily which her brothers found hard. There was no looking back for her after this small incident as she began her formal training for weightlifting. She first wanted to be an archer but took up weightlifting by chance as there was no archery practice on the day she visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre.

From using bamboo trunks as barbells to travelling around 40 kms for training, Mirabai Chanu's incredible journey and success are a testament to her never-ending courage and passion. 

(Image Credit: Mirabai Chanu/Instagram)
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