WATCH: Mirabai Chanu begins training for Asian Games after winning gold at Commonwealth Games 2026
Mirabai Chanu secured her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal
Following a historic gold medal at the CWG 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, India’s star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has already shifted her focus to the Asian Games 2026, which will be held from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Related: CWG 2026: India’s updated schedule for Day 6 (July 29)
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist dominated the women’s 48 kg event at the Glasgow Games, setting new Commonwealth Games records in both snatch and clean-and-jerk. She finished with a total lift of 190 kg (85 kg in snatch and 105 kg in clean and jerk), claiming gold. This marked a hat-trick of CWG golds, following her top prizes at the Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 Games.
After the historic result in Glasgow, Chanu was pictured in the Scottish city, training for the Aichi-Nagoya Games with her coaching staff. Interestingly, she is yet to win a maiden medal in the tournament.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026 (CWG) Day 6 Live Updates
Mirabai Chanu targeting missing medal
Chanu is India’s most decorated weightlifter, having won an Olympic silver medal, three World Championships medals and four Commonwealth Games medals. However, an Asian Games medal continues to elude her.
Following her Glasgow Games medal-winning performance, the 31-year-old lifter claimed that she had her eyes on the upcoming tournament instead of making Commonwealth Games history.
“I wasn’t really focused on breaking a record,” she said. “My primary goal was my performance and identifying areas I need to improve before the Asian Games.”
Interestingly, before the Glasgow Games, Chanu claimed that she would not be performing at 100%, instead conserving her energy for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games. She opted not to lift 90 kg in the snatch.
“I will not give my full effort in the Commonwealth Games,” the lifter said earlier. “My focus is the Asian Games, which are very near. I am training according to that. So my performance and effort here will depend on that plan.”
Related: CWG 2026: Updated medal tally after Day 5, July 28
Chanu made her Asian Games debut at the age of 19 in Incheon 2014, finishing ninth. She was forced to withdraw from Jakarta 2018 due to a back injury. A hip injury affected her performance at Hangzhou 2023, where she finished fourth. She also missed a podium finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics, finishing fourth with a total lift of 191 kg.
However, Chanu is fully fit and firing on all cylinders in 2026 and will look to finally end her medal drought in Aichi-Nagoya 2026. She will compete in the women’s 49 kg event.
Where and when will Commonwealth Games 2026 take place?
The CWG 2026 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
When will Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 take place?
The Games will be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Japan.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.