Mirabai Chanu: Indian Weightlifting Queen
Mirabai Chanu is an Indian international weightlifter, Olympic silver medalist, World Champion, and three time Commonwealth Games gold medalist a four time CWG medalist overall. Born on 8 August 1994 in Nongpok Kakching, Manipur, she now competes in the women’s 48kg category. At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, she won gold with a Games record total of 190kg (85kg snatch + 105kg clean & jerk), securing India’s first gold medal of the Games and completing her hat trick of consecutive CWG titles.
Mirabai Chanu Biography
Mirabai Chanu, full name Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, is an Indian international weightlifter currently competing in the women’s 48 kg category. Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest weightlifters, she is an Olympic silver medalist, World Champion, and multiple time Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
Born and raised in Nongpok Kakching, Manipur, Mirabai overcame financial hardship through determination and hard work to earn a place in India’s national weightlifting team. Her journey from a small village to the global stage has made her one of the country’s most celebrated athletes.
Across her career, Mirabai has won medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Championships, and Asian Championships, significantly elevating the profile of Indian weightlifting.
Birthplace & Early Life
Mirabai Chanu was born on 8 August 1994 in Nongpok Kakching, Imphal East district, Manipur, into a humble family where hard work and perseverance shaped her childhood. Growing up in rural Manipur, she often helped her family by collecting firewood and carrying heavy loads, which naturally developed her physical strength.
Inspired by legendary Indian weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, Mirabai developed a passion for weightlifting at a young age and began professional training. Despite financial challenges and limited facilities, her dedication and consistent performances in junior and national competitions earned her a place in India’s national weightlifting team.
Mirabai Chanu Olympics
The Mirabai Chanu Olympics journey is a story of resilience and historic achievement. She made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016, but after failing to register a successful lift, she made one of the greatest comebacks in Indian sports. At the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Mirabai won the silver medal in the women’s 49 kg category with a total lift of 202 kg (87 kg Snatch + 115 kg Clean & Jerk), becoming only the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari. She later represented India at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the women’s 49kg, finishing in 4th place, before moving to the 48kg category from 2025 onward.
Mirabai Chanu Weightlifter
Mirabai Chanu is widely regarded as one of India’s greatest female weightlifters, renowned for her exceptional technique in the snatch and clean & jerk. She has established herself among the world’s elite through consistent success at the Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships, and Commonwealth Championships competing across two weight categories (49kg from 2018-2024, and 48kg before and after that span).
Her strength, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure have earned her multiple international medals, including an Olympic silver medal, a World Championship gold medal, and three Commonwealth Games gold medals. Her remarkable achievements have played a significant role in elevating Indian weightlifting on the global stage.
Mirabai Chanu Career
Mirabai’s career is a remarkable journey of resilience, determination, and excellence. After winning medals at junior and youth competitions, she rose to international prominence by claiming gold at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships, becoming the first Indian in over two decades to win a world title.
Despite a disappointing outing at the Rio Olympics 2016, where she failed to register a successful lift, Mirabai made a historic comeback by winning the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 with a total of 202kg (87kg snatch + 115kg clean & jerk) becoming only the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari.
Her Commonwealth Games journey began with a silver medal at Glasgow 2014 (48kg), before she won successive gold medals at Gold Coast 2018 (48kg), Birmingham 2022 (49kg), and Glasgow 2026 (48kg) a hat trick of golds and her fourth CWG medal overall.
She also competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s 49kg, finishing in 4th place, before returning to the 48kg category in 2025 ahead of Glasgow 2026.
Commonwealth Games 2026 Glasgow
At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Mirabai Chanu won gold in the women’s 48kg event on 26 July, opening India’s gold medal account at the Games. She set new Commonwealth and Games records with an 85kg snatch and a 105kg clean & jerk, for a total of 190kg completing her hat-trick of consecutive CWG gold medals (2018, 2022, 2026) and her fourth CWG medal overall, following her 2014 silver.
Mirabai Chanu Medals (Complete Record)
| Competition | Medal | Category | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Games | 🥈 Silver | 48kg | 2014 |
| Commonwealth Games | 🥇 Gold | 48kg | 2018 |
| World Championships | 🥇 Gold | 48kg | 2017 |
| Olympic Games | 🥈 Silver | 49kg | Tokyo 2020 |
| Commonwealth Games | 🥇 Gold | 49kg | 2022 |
| World Championships | 🥈 Silver | 49kg | 2022 |
| Olympic Games | 4th Place | 49kg | Paris 2024 |
| World Championships | 🥈 Silver | 48kg | 2025 |
| Commonwealth Games | 🥇 Gold | 48kg | 2026 |
Career Highlights
- World Weightlifting Champion (2017)
- Olympic Silver Medalist (Tokyo 2020, 202kg)
- Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist (2018, 2022 & 2026) – plus a 2014 Silver, for four CWG medals overall
- Represented India at three Olympic Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024)
- Two World Championship silvers (2022, 2025) alongside her 2017 gold
- One of India's most decorated and successful weightlifters
Net Worth, Salary & Income
Mirabai Chanu’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹8-15 crore (2026). Her income comes from professional weightlifting, government rewards, prize money, brand endorsements, sponsorships, and her role as Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports) in the Manipur Police.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | ₹8-15 Crore |
| Primary Income Source | Professional Weightlifting |
| Other Income | Brand Endorsements, Sponsorships, Government Rewards |
| Government Position | Additional SP (Sports), Manipur Police |
| Profession | International Weightlifter |
Note: Mirabai Chanu has not publicly disclosed her net worth; the figure above is a media estimate and should be treated as indicative rather than official.
Mirabai Chanu Family
Mirabai Chanu was born into a humble Meitei family in Nongpok Kakching, Manipur. Her father, Saikhom Kriti Meitei, worked in the Public Works Department (PWD), while her mother, Saikhom Ongbi Tombi Leima, supported the family and encouraged Mirabai’s sporting dreams. She is the youngest of six siblings.
He sustained multiple serious injuries, including ligament tears in his right knee, along with injuries to his ankle, wrist, toe, forehead, and back. He was initially treated at a local hospital before being shifted to Mumbai, where he underwent multiple surgeries and began a long rehabilitation process under the supervision of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Awards & Honours
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2018)
- Padma Shri (2018)
- Arjuna Award (2018)
- Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports), Manipur Police
Legacy
- India's most decorated female weightlifter, with medals across the Olympics, Worlds, and four Commonwealth Games
- Second Indian weightlifter ever to win an Olympic medal, after Karnam Malleswari
- Symbol of resilience rebounded from a no lift at Rio 2016 to Olympic silver at Tokyo 2020
- Continues to compete and set records well into her thirties, adapting across weight categories
From carrying firewood in a Manipur village to setting Commonwealth Games records in Glasgow, Mirabai Chanu’s story remains one of the defining journeys in Indian sport.
Follow the Latest Commonwealth Games 2026 Updates:
Along with watching the Commonwealth Games 2026 livestream, fans can follow the latest gold, silver and bronze medal standings through our Commonwealth Games 2026 Medal Tally
The page tracks India’s performance alongside Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa and other participating nations. It is updated with the latest country rankings, medal counts and results from Glasgow 2026.