Olympic silver medalist Mirabai Chanu unleashed a record-breaking masterclass at the National Weightlifting Championships on Wednesday, smashing three
national records en route to the women's 48kg crown. The seasoned World Championships star powered to a stellar total of 205kg-89kg snatch plus 116kg clean and jerk-rewriting the books in all three categories.
"I'm thrilled-this lift has fired up my confidence," Chanu shared with PTI post-victory. "Dropping to 48kg from 49kg and still hitting these numbers feels incredible. Next time, I'm gunning for 90kg in snatch. I pushed for it today, but with training ramping up fully, it'll happen. "
Chanu, India's weightlifting queen over the last decade, hadn't topped her snatch PB since 2020 or clean-and-jerk mark since 2021. This explosive showing hints at a sharp resurgence as she eyes a grueling slate: Asian Championships in April, then Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Worlds.
"I wanted to test my technique and training vibe, plus build that mental edge," she added.
True to form, Chanu cruised to gold with minimal drama-just two clean lifts per discipline. But coach Vijay Sharma dialed up the intensity, starting her snatch at a bold 86kg (versus her usual) and clean-and-jerk at 112kg. She nailed 86kg effortlessly, then dazzled with a perfect 89kg-eclipsing her old 88kg PB from the 2020 Nationals (49kg class).
The pint-sized Manipuri powerhouse has teased the 90kg snatch dream since 2019, often inches away. Wednesday's 91kg bid slipped on balance, and her 120kg clean-and-jerk closer faltered too (despite her 119kg world record from 2021 Asians). Sharma insists it's imminent: "She was so close to 90kg today. At Asians, her second snatch will hit 90kg or more-it's non-negotiable. "
With time and injuries pressing, Chanu and Sharma have revamped her snatch: sharper speed, tighter bar control, and recovery tweaks. "Her bar path hugs the body now, unlocking those 90-91kg attempts," Sharma noted.
All India Police's Radha Soni (183kg: 79+104) grabbed silver, while Railways' Komal Kohar (182kg: 79+103) took bronze.
