Star weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu remains the undisputed queen of Indian weightlifting after delivering a stellar performance as she clinched her third successive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the women's 48kg category in Glasgow.
The 31-year-old shattered the Commonwealth Games records by lifting a commanding 190kg, with a best effort of 85kg in snatch and 105kg in clean and jerk. With this, she also set new CWG marks in clean and jerk and total. She bagged the yellow metal in the 2018 and 2022 editions as well.
Silver medallist Ruth Asuquo Nyong of Nigeria finished a distant second with a total lift of 168kg, a staggering 22kg behind Mirabai's winning effort.
PM Modi called the feat another glorious chapter in Indian weightlifting. "The talented Mirabai Chanu once again showcased her skills at the Commonwealth Games with a stunning performance in the 48 kg category and winning Gold. With back-to-back Commonwealth Games Golds and an overall fourth CWG medal to her name, she remains an inspiration for every Indian. Congratulations to her! Best wishes for the endeavours ahead," his post on X (formerly Twitter) mentioned.
Mirabai endured a nervous start, failing to register her opening snatch attempt at 82kg, but she quickly regained her rhythm and performed her best. Even in the clean and jerk, Mirabai faced a brief moment of uncertainty, failing to complete her opening attempt.
The lift not only secured the gold but also shattered the Commonwealth Games record in the clean and jerk category and bettered the total lift mark, reported PTI.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Rishikanta Singh became the first male weightlifter from Manipur to win a Commonwealth Games medal and the first man from the state to even compete in weightlifting at the Games. After two failed attempts at 148kg and 151kg, Singh managed only 143kg in the section, finishing with a total of 264kg and a silver medal.
(With agency inputs)
