Asian Games medal still my biggest goal, says Mirabai Chanu at Khelo India Tribal Games

Raipur: Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu said winning a medal at the Asian Games remains the biggest unfinished goal of her career, speaking at the opening of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh, which she described as a game-changer for athletes from remote and tribal regions.

Mirabai, one of India’s leading weightlifters over the past decade, has won medals at the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games, but an Asian Games podium finish has continued to elude her. She made her Asian Games debut at the 2014 Incheon edition at the age of 19 and finished ninth. She missed the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games because of a back injury, while a hip injury ended her hopes at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

The 31-year-old said the Asian Games holds special significance for her because of the exceptionally high level of competition. She said winning a medal there remains her top priority.

Mirabai also highlighted the challenge posed by changing weight categories this season. She is set to compete in the 48kg category at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, and then move to the 49kg category for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

She said managing the shift between the two categories would be difficult, as she would compete in 48kg until the Commonwealth Games and then return to 49kg for the Asian Games.

Mirabai recently delivered a standout performance at the National Weightlifting Championships, setting three new national records in the 48kg category. She lifted 89kg in snatch and 116kg in clean and jerk for a total of 205kg to win the gold medal, marking the best performance of her career.

Praising the Khelo India Tribal Games, Mirabai said the event would provide a major platform for athletes from remote and tribal areas of the country. She said such competitions create opportunities for talented sportspersons, especially in the North-East and tribal belts, where talent is abundant but access to platforms is often limited.

She also praised the National Centre of Excellence, Khelo India State Centre of Excellence and SAI Training Centres, saying these institutions are providing athletes with high-quality training, nutrition and facilities, and are playing an important role in taking Indian sport to new heights.