Why Mirabai Chanu's Asian Games medal seals her G.O.A.T. status

Her career was illustrious enough with the Olympic, World Championships and Commonwealth Games medals. What was missing, and surprisingly so, was an Asian Games one. In Japan, on September 23, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu was in business mode, with a smile to go with it, as she went about bagging what had eluded her so long.

Chanu returns home with a silver in the women’s 49 kg category, bringing for India its first weightlifting medal at the Asian Games in 28 years. All it needed was an injury-free, in-form and confident Chanu to break the dry spell. She could only be bested by the best in the world in North Korean weightlifter Ri Song-gum, who put in a world-record combined total of 215 kg.

Chanu has been by far India’s best and most-consistent weightlifter for a decade now. It meant she has had to deal with the medal hopes of a billion-plus people whenever she takes to the big stage. That expectation shows she is among India’s most-bankable athletes. Much like her Manipuri compatriot boxer Mary Kom, Chanu has been a singular force in her sport, one who has set the benchmark and whose impact goes far beyond it.

At 32, Chanu is the oldest member of the Indian weightlifting contingent, yet she time and again proves that age is just a number. Instead, experience and maturity bring the best out of her.

The Asian Games 2026 performance is a testament to how driven Chanu is as an athlete. Cool as a cucumber in the snatch section, Chanu went about her three targets with ease. In the clean and jerk section, knowing she had done her bit to secure her first Asiad medal, she was elated. It was almost like the elephant was off the back. There was nothing left to be proven.But it has been a topsy-turvy journey for Chanu. She has had her share of injuries, recovering from which kept her away for long spells and made her struggle in competitions on return. Carrying the burden of expectations has come at a cost—falling short at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and more recently in Paris (2024), where she missed out on a second Olympic medal only by a kilo.

But whenever the going gets tough, Chanu shows the ability to weather the storm and rise. The Olympic silver, three golds and a silver at the Commonwealth Games, and multiple World Championships medals prove that.

Her Asian Games goal met in Japan, with longtime coach Vijay Sharma by her side, count on Chanu to motivate other members of the Indian weightlifting contingent. It may be a while before India sees another lifter of Chanu’s stature, but for now one can hope that with her in the side, Team India in Japan will stay inspired.