From missing Hangzhou to silver in Nagoya: Mirabai Chanu’s Asian Games redemption

Nagoya: Two hundred and sixty-four grams.That was all it took to complete Mirabai Chanu’s collection of heavyweight medals.The silver medallion awarded at Aichi-Nagoya weighs 264gm, but for Mirabai it could well be worth its weight in gold.Six years ago, it was also in Japan that Mirabai won an Olympic silver at the Tokyo Games. In the land of the rising sun, she delivered again, this time in a statement of persistence and resilience.At the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Centre here on Wednesday, the 32-year-old ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal, winning silver and, in the process, finally adding a continental medal to her cabinet.“I feel very good. This Asian Games medal was my dream and finally I got a silver medal. Since I stepped into the elite level, this has been my dream,” gushed Mirabai after her medal-winning performance.Competing in the 49kg category, the lifter, who wore tricolour hair ties, totalled 198kg (87kg in snatch + 111kg in clean and jerk) to finish behind defending champion Ri Song-gum. The North Korean was in another stratosphere altogether, lifting a world-record 215kg (94+121), a full 17kg more than the Indian. Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana took bronze with 191kg (88+103).Mirabai was assured in the snatch, clearing 83kg, 85kg and 87kg without much fuss. She trailed Ri and Luluk going into the clean and jerk, but successfully negotiated 107kg and 111kg to secure silver.Asked why the continental medal was her dream and not the Olympic silverware which she already possessed, Mirabai said, “Competition in Asian weightlifting is very strong with Korea, China etc. I believe that medals in Asian Games are equal to the ones won at the Olympics. In fact, I feel the competition at the Asian Games is tougher than the Olympics.”For an athlete who had dreamed of an Asian Games podium for years, the medal was also a measure of redemption.Mirabai missed the 2018 edition because of a back injury. In Hangzhou three years ago, a hip and thigh injury hampered her during her final attempt and left her fourth.Earlier this year, a lingering shoulder injury had cast another shadow over her season. But Mirabai put that behind her by winning gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.Her resilience has deep roots.Born in Nongpok Kakching in southeastern Manipur, Mirabai grew up in a landscape that is picturesque and also steeped in history and identity. The region, known for landmarks such as Kakching Garden and the People’s Museum, has also witnessed the imprint of World War II, with Langol Peak serving as a campsite for Allied forces. From that landscape emerged an athlete who has repeatedly had to rise after setbacks.If age and injuries threatened to slow her down, Mirabai had a support system that refused to let that happen. While coach Vijay Sharma took care of her training, American strength and conditioning coach Dr Aaron Horschig monitored her fitness and recovery. A nutritionist, meanwhile, ensured she stayed on top of her weight.The work that went into the medal, she said, was immense.“A lot of work. After the Commonwealth Games, there was very little time. At the same time, I had to control my weight at 48kg (for the CWG). It was very difficult for me to control my weight,” explained the Padma Shri awardee.One of the most keenly watched Indian athletes at the Games, Mirabai also had to contend with the weight of expectation.“There is pressure, but I also have confidence. The whole world has had hopes of me winning a medal. I draw strength from the fact that people think positively about me and pray for me so much. That said, the pressure of not delivering is also there,” she said.With the Asian Games medal finally ticked off her bucket list, attention inevitably turns to another question: is a fourth Olympic appearance at the 2028 Los Angeles Games on the horizon?“We haven’t finalised anything yet. But we will try. Qualifying starts in Dec. But for now, I will enjoy it,” she signed off.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.