Imphal, August 25: Star Indian weightlifter and Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu marked a triumphant return to international competition by clinching gold at the Commonwealth Championships, delivering a record-breaking performance in the women’s 48kg category.
The 31-year-old lifter from Manipur lifted a combined 193kg (84kg snatch + 109kg clean and jerk), setting new Commonwealth Championship records across all three segments — snatch, clean and jerk, and overall total.
Chanu, who was making her comeback after a year-long injury layoff, admitted signs of rust, completing only three successful lifts out of six. She struggled in her opening snatch attempt at 84kg due to discomfort in her right knee but recovered in the second attempt, before faltering at 89kg. In the clean and jerk, she managed 105kg and 109kg, narrowly missing out on her final 113kg lift.
Despite the setbacks, Chanu’s dominance was unquestionable. Malaysia’s Irene Henry bagged silver with a total of 161kg (73kg + 88kg), while Nikole Roberts of Wales took bronze with 150kg (70kg + 80kg).
