A 119 kg lift in the clean and jerk at the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships propelled Mirabai Chanu into the record books, marking a world-leading standard in the 49 kg category. Born in the Imphal East district of Manipur in 1994, she emerged from rural training sessions to become a central figure in international weightlifting competition.
Early Development and Training
Raised in Nongpok Kakching as the youngest of six children, she demonstrated early physical capability by handling heavy bundles of firewood. She accessed professional coaching at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium complex in Imphal. During her formative years, she frequently traveled to training venues by securing passage with local sand-truck drivers.
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Her international debut featured a gold medal at the 2013 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships. Following a silver at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, she participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she recorded no successful lifts. She recalibrated her performance to secure gold at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, registering a 194 kg total.
Olympic Milestone and Continued Success
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Chanu achieved a total lift of 202 kg, securing the silver medal. This victory established her as the first Indian weightlifter to earn an Olympic medal. She later achieved consecutive gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, specifically in 2018, 2022, and 2026, consistently breaking her own previous records.
Professional Recognition and Later Career
The Government of India recognized her achievements in 2018 with the Padma Shri and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Beyond competition, she served as a brand ambassador for NEROCA FC. Her career continued through 2026, where she established new national records in the snatch and clean and jerk categories at the Senior National Weightlifting Championships.
Fast facts
- Born: 8 August 1994, Nongpok Kakching, Manipur
- Sport: Weightlifting
- Olympic Medal: 2020 Tokyo (Silver)
- World Championship Gold: 2017 (Anaheim)
- 2018 Awards: Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
- Religion: Sanamahism
- Citizenship: India
Questions readers ask
What record did she set in 2021?
She set a world record in the clean and jerk of 119 kg at the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships.
Did she win medals at the Commonwealth Games?
Yes, she won three gold medals and one silver medal across multiple editions of the games.
