Asian Games 2026: Mirabai Chanu Ends 28-Year Wait with 49kg Weightlifting Silver; Satnam-Salman Pair Wins Historic Double Sculls Rowing Bronze as India Reaches 14 Medals

Day 6 of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya proved historic for the Indian contingent as Tokyo Olympic medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu ended a 28-year drought in continental weightlifting by securing a silver medal in the women’s 49kg category. Lifting a combined total of 198kg (87kg snatch, 111kg clean and jerk), Chanu completed her collection of major international podiums. The breakthrough at the barbell was complemented by a historic performance at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course in Gifu, where rowers Satnam Singh and Salman Khan clocked 6:13.25 to clinch India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the men's double sculls. Bolstered by Naorem Roshibina Devi’s silver in women's 60kg wushu sanda, India's medal aggregate climbed to 14 medals (1 Gold, 6 Silver, 7 Bronze), placing the contingent 13th on the continental table.

Lifting Redemption: Chanu Bridges the Gap from 1998

Chanu's podium appearance brought closure to an elusive chase across three prior editions, having endured fourth-place finishes and injury disruptions in Incheon 2014, Jakarta 2018, and Hangzhou 2023. Her 198kg aggregate secured India's first Asian Games weightlifting medal since Sydney Olympic bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari captured bronze at Bangkok 1998.

Executing a composed technical display under the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) setup, Chanu cleared all three attempts in the snatch phase—lifting 83kg, 85kg, and 87kg—to enter the interval in second position. Transitioning to the clean and jerk, she locked 108kg on her opening attempt and completed 111kg on her second to consolidate silver. The result completes her medal set across the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and Asian Games, while establishing competitive benchmarks ahead of the qualification cycle for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

"Winning an Asian Games medal was the missing chapter in my international career. After the setbacks in previous editions, stepping onto this podium represents years of perseverance and rehabilitation," said Mirabai Chanu after the medal ceremony.

Waterways Breakthrough: Satnam and Salman Script Rowing History

At the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course in Gifu, rowers Satnam Singh and Salman Khan produced a sustained sprint finish in the men’s double sculls 2,000-metre final. Clocking 6:13.25, the Indian pair finished behind gold medallists China (6:09.37) and silver medallists Uzbekistan (6:10.49) to capture bronze.

The podium finish marks India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the men's double sculls category, overcoming traditional regional powerhouses. Earlier in the regatta, army rower Balraj Panwar delivered a battling performance in the men’s single sculls final, clocking 6:54.80 to finish narrowly outside the podium positions in fourth place.

Roshibina's Wushu Silver and India's Overall Standing

In the combat arena, Naorem Roshibina Devi earned her second consecutive Asian Games medal, securing silver in the women’s sanda 60kg division after a tactical final bout against China's reigning world champion. Her silver reaffirmed India's competitive progress in continental martial arts disciplines.

With 14 medals on the tally sheet as of September 24, India's campaign enters a pivotal phase. Medal opportunities expand over the coming days as track and field athletics commence at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, alongside advanced rounds in boxing, shooting, and group fixtures in hockey and badminton.