Imphal, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh on Wednesday congratulated weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu on winning the silver medal in the women’s 49 kg category at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Taking to social media platform X and Facebook, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh hailed Chanu’s achievement and said her performance had brought immense pride to Manipur and India.
“Heartiest congratulations to our pride of Manipur, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, on winning the Silver Medal in the Women’s 49 kg Weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, with a remarkable total lift of 198 kg,” he wrote.
The Chief Minister, who is also a lifelong Taekwondo practitioner, praised Chanu’s strength, determination and perseverance and said her achievement could inspire young athletes to aim higher.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio, separately congratulated Chanu in a Facebook post.
“Heartiest congratulations to Saikhom Mirabai Chanu on winning the Silver Medal in the Women’s 49kg Weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan,” he wrote.
The minister described the medal as a historic achievement, noting that it marked Chanu’s first Asian Games medal. He said her determination, discipline and commitment continued to inspire a new generation of athletes and that Manipur was celebrating the achievement.
Chanu, 32, lifted a total of 198 kg, including 87 kg in the snatch and 111 kg in the clean and jerk. North Korea’s Ri Song-gum won the gold with a total of 210 kg, while Indonesia’s Wijayana Luluk Diani Tri claimed bronze with 191 kg.
The silver ended Chanu’s long wait for an Asian Games medal. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist missed the 2018 Asian Games due to injury and finished fourth at the 2022 Hangzhou Games after battling a thigh injury during her clean and jerk attempts.
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