Star Indian weightlifter and Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu struck gold at the Commonwealth Championships on Monday, delivering a record-breaking performance in the women’s 48kg category.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist lifted a total of 193kg (84kg snatch + 109kg clean and jerk), setting new Commonwealth Championship records in all three categories—snatch, clean and jerk, and overall total.
Returning to international competition after a year-long injury layoff, the 31-year-old showed glimpses of rust, managing only three successful lifts out of six. She struggled with her opening snatch attempt of 84kg due to discomfort in her right knee but succeeded in her second attempt before failing at 89kg. In the clean and jerk, she lifted 105kg and 109kg, but missed her final 113kg attempt.
Despite the hiccups, Chanu’s performance left no doubt about her supremacy. Irene Henry of Malaysia won silver with a total of 161kg (73kg + 88kg), while Wales’ Nikole Roberts secured bronze with 150kg (70kg + 80kg).
