Nagoya, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has requested the government to consider her for the Arjuna Award after finally achieving her long-standing goal of winning an Asian Games medal with a historic silver in the women’s 49kg category.
Chanu, 32, lifted a combined 198kg, including 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk, to finish second. North Korea’s Ri Song-gum won gold with a total of 210kg, while Indonesia’s Wijayana Luluk Diani Tri claimed bronze with 191kg.
Speaking after her podium finish, Chanu said she would be happy if the government considered her achievements for the Arjuna Award.
“I would like to request that the government give me the Arjuna Award. I will be very happy. The Arjuna Award is the biggest. I don’t have it. I want it. I will be very happy if the government considers my achievement and awards it to me,” she said.
The medal ended a long wait for Chanu at the Asian Games. The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist missed the 2018 Asian Games because of injury before finishing fourth at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, where a thigh injury affected her clean and jerk attempts.
Reflecting on finally achieving the target she had pursued for years, Chanu said the moment brought back memories of the emotional celebrations after her Commonwealth Games success.
“Yes, I was very emotional in Glasgow. They were happy tears. Today also I felt like crying. I had tears in my eyes out of happiness, but I didn’t cry,” she said.
“I was very happy. I got what I wanted. Today, my dream has come true. I am very happy with this medal. I have been dreaming of winning a medal in the Asian Games for many years. Today, my dream has come true. I am very proud of myself.”
Chanu’s silver also ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games medal in weightlifting. She became the country’s first medallist in the discipline since Karnam Malleswari won silver at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
The Asian Games medal also completed Chanu’s collection of medals from the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, adding another milestone to her decorated international career.
Chanu was awarded the Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, in 2018. She was also conferred the Padma Shri the same year.
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