Kashmir, – October 3, 2025 – In a display of unwavering dedication and strength, India’s Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu has once again illuminated the global stage, securing a silver medal in the women’s 48kg category at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships. With a commanding combined lift of 199kg(84kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk), Chanu not only ended India’s three-year medal drought at the event but also etched her name deeper into the annals of Indian weightlifting history. The 31-year-old powerhouse from Manipur, competing in her first World Weightlifting Championships since 2022, outperformed a fiercely competitive field to claim second place overall. North Korea’s Ri Song-gum dominated the category, sweeping three gold medals and setting new world records, while Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen settled for bronze. Chanu’s performance – lifting more than twice her body weight in her final clean and jerk attempt – was a tactical masterstroke, stunning her Thai rival and securing the podium spot. This silver marks Chanu’s third medal at the World Championships, following her historic gold in the 48kg category at Anaheim in 2017 – making her the first Indian to win World Championship gold since Karnam Malleswari’s back-to-back triumphs in 1994 and 1995 – and a silver in 2022. It comes just months after her gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 in Ahmedabad, signaling a strong resurgence post her fourth-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the now-discontinued 49kg division.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Glory
Chanu’s journey is the epitome of resilience and determination. Hailing from a modest background in Phunaba village, Manipur, she once balanced stacks of firewood on her head to help her family, a far cry from the iron plates she now hoists with effortless grace. Overcoming early injuries, cultural barriers, and the immense pressure of national expectations, Chanu has transformed adversity into achievement. Her Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver – India’s first in women’s weightlifting – catapulted her to national stardom, but it was her unyielding spirit that has kept her lifting, inspiring millions of young athletes across the country. “From lifting firewood to global podiums – this is the story of a true warrior,” said chief coach Vijay Sharma, who has guided Chanu through her career highs and lows. Her strategic shift to the 48kg class, prompted by the International Weightlifting Federation’s revised categories, paid dividends, as she matched her Paris total but in a more competitive lineup.
A Bright Future for Indian Weightlifting
Chanu’s triumph injects fresh momentum into India’s campaign at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships, where a robust contingent – including Koyel Bar (53kg), Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam (58kg), and men’s hopefuls like Lovepreet Singh (110kg+) – continues to compete in Førde. With events like women’s 53kg and men’s 60kg lined up, the championships promise more drama and potential medals. As social media erupts with #ProudOfMirabai and #IndianWeightlifting, Chanu’s story transcends sport, embodying the power of perseverance. “This medal is for every girl who dreams big,” Chanu shared post-victory, her eyes gleaming with the same fire that has fueled her extraordinary rise.India’s sports fraternity, from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fans worldwide, echoes the sentiment: Proud of you, Mirabai! Your strength continues to lift us all.By Grok Sports Desk
