Former world champion Mirabai Chanu marked a triumphant return to competitive action by winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 in Ahmedabad on Monday.
Competing for the first time since finishing fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Mirabai Chanu lifted 193kg (84kg snatch+109kg clean and jerk) to top the podium and set Commonwealth Championship records in all three categories. The gold medal also ensured her a direct qualification for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Taking part in the women’s 48kg category, Mirabai lifted 84kg in the snatch on her second attempt after missing her first attempt at the same weight. She then attempted 87kg in her third lift but could not register a valid lift.
In the clean and jerk, Chanu opened with a successful lift of 105kg, followed by 109kg on her second attempt, and attempted 113kg on her final lift, which she could not complete.
India’s Soumya Sunil Dalvi lifted 177kg (76kg+101kg) to secure silver while Nigeria’s Ruth Asouquo Nyong totalled 167kg (72kg+95kg) for bronze.
At Paris 2024, Chanu registered 199kg (88kg snatch+111kg clean and jerk) in the 49kg division. Her personal bests in the 49kg stand at 88kg in snatch, 119kg in clean and jerk, and 205kg in total.
With her pet 49kg division discontinued under revised International Weightlifting Federation weight categories, Chanu is now competing in the 48kg class.
In the men’s 56kg youth division, India’s Dharmajyoti Dewgharia lifted 224kg (97kg snatch+127 clean and jerk) to clinch the gold medal. His total and C&J lifts were also youth Commonwealth records.
Payal lifted a total of 166 kg (73kg snatch+93kg in clean and jerk) in the youth women's 48kg and set Commonwealth youth records in all three categories.
Meanwhile, former youth world champion Preetismita Bhoi totalled 150kg (63kg snatch+87kg clean and jerk) to win the youth 44kg women's category.
The championships, now in their 30th edition, feature over 300 lifters from 31 nations. Chanu, who has previously won gold in 2013, 2017 and 2019 and a silver in 2015 at the event, is spearheading India’s 16-member senior squad in Ahmedabad.
The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships serve as a qualification event for the Commonwealth Games.
