In a sport where progress is often measured in grams and years, Olympic silver medalist Mirabai Chanu has signalled a thunderous return to form. Competing at the National Weightlifting Championships 2026, the 31-year-old shattered three National Records in the 48kg category, proving that age is merely a number when your technique is frame-perfect.
In elite weightlifting, a 1kg improvement in the snatch can take half a decade to achieve. Chanu achieved exactly that on Wednesday, lifting 89kg to set a new personal and national benchmark.
Technical tweak: Under the guidance of coach Vijay Sharma, Chanu has modified her snatch pull. She is now moving the barbell with higher initial velocity and keeping it closer to her centre of mass.
Confidence factor: By starting her snatch attempts at 86kg (up from her usual 83kg), Chanu has effectively raised her floor, paving the way for a shot at the elusive 90kg barrier later this season.
The technique has inspired confidence, and now we are thinking of going beyond the 90kg mark. She is lifting with more speed and holding the barbell closer to her body.
Vijay Sharma, Head Coach
The current season is a logistical and physical gauntlet for Chanu, requiring her to jump between weight classes to accommodate different international regulations.
With Olympic, World, and Commonwealth medals already in her cabinet, Chanu is laser-focused on the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. It is the only major podium she has yet to conquer. To prepare for the 2028 LA Olympics, Chanu will pivot to the 53kg category immediately following the Asian Games, as her current weight classes are being removed from the Olympic program.
