Mirabai Chanu Exclusive: ‘An Asian Games Medal Will Give Me the Satisfaction I Couldn’t Get at the Paris Olympics’

New Delhi, August 2: Barely a week after creating history by winning her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow, Mirabai Chanu has already turned the page.

India’s weightlifting icon returned home on Sunday (August 2) to a hero’s welcome, but the 31-year-old has little time to bask in the glory. With the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya beginning on September 19, Mirabai has shifted her complete focus towards the one major medal missing from her glittering career.

In an exclusive interaction with myKhel, the Olympic silver medallist admitted that an Asian Games medal would provide the satisfaction she couldn’t find after narrowly missing the podium at the Paris Olympics.

No Time for Celebrations

Mirabai became India’s first gold medallist at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after dominating the women’s 48kg category in Glasgow. It was her fourth Commonwealth Games medal overall after silver in Glasgow 2014 and gold medals in Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

Yet, despite adding another historic achievement to her resume, she insists the celebrations cannot last long.

While felicitations have only just begun following her arrival in India, the focus within her camp has already shifted towards preparation for Japan. The Manipuri lifter is eager to return to the Weightlifting Warriors Academy in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, where national coach Vijay Sharma oversees India’s elite lifters.

Speaking exclusively to myKhel, Sharma explained why there is virtually no time to rest.

“People might think there are still around 50 days left for the Asian Games, but from our perspective, we can’t afford to lose even a single day now. It’s a very important competition for Mirabai and the other qualified lifters. They have to get back to training immediately. A weightlifter’s body can’t afford prolonged rest because it impacts muscle mass, and that’s absolutely crucial for performance,” Sharma said.

The urgency reflects just how significant the Asian Games are for India’s premier weightlifter.

The One Medal Still Missing

Mirabai’s remarkable career boasts an Olympic silver, a World Championship gold and two silvers, three Commonwealth Games gold medals and multiple international titles. Yet, the Asian Games medal remains the one missing piece in her decorated collection.

“I have won medals in almost every major competition, but not at the Asian Games. Since I started weightlifting, I’ve always heard that the strongest lifters are from Asia. China, North Korea and many other top nations compete there. Winning a medal there has always been my dream,” Mirabai told myKhel.

The continental event has twice ended in heartbreak. A severe lower back injury forced her to withdraw from the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang, while at Hangzhou 2023, she competed through a lingering wrist injury and finished a frustrating fourth with a total lift of 191kg.

The disappointment continued at the Paris Olympics, where she missed bronze by just 1kg after lifting 199kg.

Those near misses have only strengthened her resolve.

“Winning an Asian Games medal will give me the satisfaction I’ve been looking for.”

The Hardest CWG Gold of Her Career

Despite winning three successive Commonwealth Games gold medals, Mirabai called her latest Glasgow triumph the most special CWG medal of her career.

Asked to pick her favourite Commonwealth Games medal, the answer came without hesitation.

“This one… I won this medal after facing so many challenges. I was carrying injuries and still managed to win. Every athlete goes through difficult phases, but winning after overcoming all those challenges makes this medal very special.”

Three Days Without Proper Food

Mirabai’s Glasgow triumph became even more remarkable considering the sacrifices she had to make before stepping onto the platform.

Usually competing in the 49kg category, she had to drop to 48kg for the Commonwealth Games.

“It was very difficult,” she admitted.

“For three days before the competition, I couldn’t eat or drink properly because I had to maintain my weight. At the same time, I still had to train. That was one of the toughest parts.”

Asked what exactly her diet looked like during those crucial days, Mirabai revealed the extent of her sacrifice.

“I only had breakfast. Usually I ate cornflakes or boiled eggs in the morning. After that, I skipped lunch and dinner. I wasn’t even drinking water properly because I had to stay within the weight limit.”

The Asian Games, however, will see her return to the 49kg division, though she says maintaining competition weight remains equally demanding.

From Teenage Debutant to Veteran Champion

The Glasgow Games also marked a full-circle moment for Mirabai.

She arrived in Scotland as a 19-year-old in 2014 and won silver in what was her first Commonwealth Games. Twelve years later, she returned as one of India’s greatest-ever athletes and completed an unprecedented hat-trick of gold medals.

“I have changed a lot since then,” she reflected.

“At 19, everything was new and I only thought about performing well. Even today the focus is still on performance, but experience teaches you many things. I feel fortunate to have coach Vijay Sharma guiding me throughout this journey.”

Age Brings Experience, and New Challenges

Now 31, Mirabai says the biggest difference between her younger self and the athlete she is today lies in recovery.

“Every athlete knows the body changes with age. Around your late twenties and early thirties, muscle mass starts reducing. We can’t handle the same training load as before.

“That is why recovery becomes even more important. You have to train smart and take much better care of your body.”

A Message Against Doping

With Indian weightlifting continuing to battle the menace of doping, Mirabai also had a message for young athletes.

“I don’t know why people take drugs. (We need to understand that) It can destroy an athlete’s career. My message is simple, work hard honestly and compete for your country.”

One Final Mission

Mirabai’s Commonwealth legacy is already secure. She is now India’s first weightlifter to win three successive Commonwealth Games gold medals, adding to an Olympic silver, a World Championship title and multiple international honours. But one challenge remains.

As the felicitations continue over the next few days, Mirabai’s mind is already on resuming training as the road to Aichi-Nagoya begins.

For India’s greatest weightlifter, the celebrations are temporary. The pursuit of the one medal missing from her extraordinary career starts now.