Mirabai Chanu Wins Asian Games Silver Medal as Ri Song Gum Sets Three World Records 

The Mirabai Chanu Asian Games silver medal in women’s 49kg weightlifting marked a memorable finish for the Indian Olympic medallist in Nagoya, even as North Korea’s Ri Song Gum dominated the competition with three world records. Chanu secured the long-awaited Asian Games medal by finishing second, while Ri claimed gold with a record-breaking total that also handed North Korea its first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games. 

The result delivered one of the standout performances of the weightlifting competition, combining a historic achievement for Ri with an important milestone in Chanu’s international career. 

The Mirabai Chanu Asian Games silver medal in women’s 49kg weightlifting came after Ri Song Gum produced an extraordinary display across both lifts. Ri opened the event with a 94kg snatch, surpassing the previous world record by one kilogram. 

The North Korean star continued her remarkable form in the clean and jerk, lifting 116kg before improving her own mark with 121kg. Her combined total of 215kg set another world record and confirmed a dominant victory in the competition. 

Ri’s performance also secured her third Asian Games gold medal, making her the first woman to achieve that milestone in weightlifting. The victory placed her among a select group of athletes who have won three Asian Games weightlifting titles. 

The Mirabai Chanu Asian Games silver medal in women’s 49kg weightlifting ended the Indian lifter’s wait for an Asian Games podium finish. After missing out in previous editions, Chanu finally added an Asian Games medal to an already impressive career that includes an Olympic silver medal and multiple world-level achievements. 

Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana completed the podium with the bronze medal. The competition highlighted the high standard of women’s weightlifting in Asia, with several athletes producing strong lifts throughout the event. 

Mirabai Chanu’s Asian Games silver medal in women’s 49kg weightlifting strengthens India’s medal tally as the Asian Games continue in Nagoya.