Norway, Sept 2025: Indian weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu, who scripted history with a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, added another feather to her illustrious career by winning silver in the 48kg division at the World Weightlifting Championships 2025.
The 31-year-old lifter registered a total lift of 199kg, reaffirming her status as one of the finest in global weightlifting.
Ri Song-gum Sets World Records
North Korea’s Ri Song-gum dominated the event, clinching three gold medals and setting new world records with a 91kg snatch, 122kg clean and jerk, and a total of 213kg. Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen secured the bronze medal with a close 198kg total.
Mirabai’s Remarkable Comeback
Chanu returned to competitive weightlifting after the Paris 2024 Olympics, starting her comeback with a gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in August. Her silver in Norway further strengthens her impressive international medal tally, which includes:
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Gold at the 2017 World Championships (Anaheim)
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Silver at the 2022 World Championships (Bogota, 49kg category)
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Silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (49kg category)
Indian Contingent at the Championships
In the men’s division, Lovepreet Singh, a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, is leading the Indian squad. Other Indian lifters, including Ajith Narayana and Ajaya Babu Valluri, recently bagged gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, raising hopes for strong performances in Norway.
Indian Squad at World Championships 2025
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Women’s team: Mirabai Chanu (48kg), Koyel Bar (53kg), Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam (58kg), Nirupama Devi Seram (63kg), Harjinder Kaur (69kg), Vanshita Verma (86kg), Mehak Sharma (86kg+).
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Men’s team: Rishikanta Singh Chanambam (60kg), Muthupandi Raja (65kg), Ajith Narayana (71kg), Ajaya Babu Valluri (79kg), Abhishek Nipane (88kg), Dilbag Singh (94kg), Lovepreet Singh (110kg+).
With this silver, Mirabai Chanu once again proves her mettle on the international stage, keeping India’s flag flying high in world weightlifting.
