India’s star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has revealed that she will not attempt the coveted 90kg snatch at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, choosing instead to preserve her body for the Asian Games later this year, where she hopes to win her maiden medal and complete her collection of major international honours.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist is aiming for a third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal but said her training programme has been designed with the Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Japan, as the primary target.
“I will not give my full effort in the Commonwealth Games. My focus is the Asian Games, which are very near. I am training according to that. So my performance and effort here will depend on that plan,” Chanu told PTI on Thursday.
Asian Games Medal Remains Her Biggest Goal
The former world champion said she plans to go all out at the Asian Games, where she expects stiff competition from traditional weightlifting giants such as China, Thailand and North Korea.
Although she has won medals at the Olympics, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games, an Asian Games medal remains the only major accolade missing from her decorated career.
“You can’t really predict how the body will perform on a given day but I will try to get 90kg in the Asian Games for sure.”
Favourite for Third Straight Commonwealth Gold
Chanu enters the women’s 48kg category as the overwhelming favourite in Glasgow. She is expected to claim her fourth Commonwealth Games medal and third successive gold medal, requiring only successful legal lifts in the snatch and clean and jerk events.
With the Asian Games less than two months away, the 31-year-old believes attempting a personal milestone in Glasgow would be an unnecessary risk.
Preparing to Move to 53kg Category
Chanu also confirmed that she will shift permanently to the 53kg weight category after the Asian Games following changes to the Olympic weight classes ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
She will compete in the 48kg category at the Commonwealth Games and the 49kg class at the Asian Games before making the transition.
The Indian weightlifting icon admitted that years of maintaining a lower body weight have been physically demanding.
“Weight management is very difficult. Since the time I have been competing, I have been maintaining either 48kg or 49kg. It is very difficult. You have to keep track of a lot of things. Half a player’s life goes into this.”
She added:
“I am really happy that I will go to 53kg. I will feel very relaxed that I will not have to control my weight. But yes, when the weight increases, there will be more competition and I will have to improve my performance.”
Message on Doping After India’s Reduced Quota
Chanu also commented on India’s reduced weightlifting quota at the Commonwealth Games, which followed multiple anti-doping violations involving Indian lifters.
Urging athletes to remain cautious, she said:
“I just want to say, we all need to be particular about what we eat because eating one wrong thing can spoil your entire life. And believe in your hard work.”
With her sights firmly set on the Asian Games, Chanu is balancing her pursuit of another Commonwealth title while prioritising long-term success and the chance to add the only missing medal to her remarkable career.