New Delhi, Aug 25 (HS): India’s star weightlifter and Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu marked a triumphant return to international competition, clinching the gold medal with a record-breaking performance in the women’s 48kg category at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Ahmedabad on Monday.

After nearly a year-long absence due to injury, the 31-year-old lifted a total of 193kg (84kg snatch + 109kg clean & jerk), setting new Championship records in all three segments – snatch, clean & jerk, and total.

Though slightly rusty on comeback, completing only three of her six attempts, Chanu still dominated the field. She failed her opening snatch at 84kg and later at 89kg, but nailed her second attempt at 84kg to stay on track. In clean & jerk, she started with 105kg, succeeded at 109kg, but missed her final attempt at 113kg.

With little real challenge, Chanu was effectively competing against her own benchmarks. Malaysia’s Irene Henry finished second with a 161kg total (73kg + 88kg), while Wales’ Nicole Roberts claimed bronze with 150kg (70kg + 80kg).

The event also marked Chanu’s return to the 48kg weight class, where she previously won a World Championship crown and two Commonwealth Games medals but had not competed since 2018.

In the junior category, India’s Saumya Dalvi also struck gold, extending the host nation’s dominance at the Championship.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar