Indian weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu has once again lifted the nation’s spirits by securing a silver medal in the 48kg category at the World Weightlifting Championships 2025 in Førde, Norway. The Olympic medallist registered a total lift of 199kg, marking a remarkable comeback after her Paris 2024 campaign and adding another prestigious medal to her international tally.
The gold medal in the 48kg division went to North Korea’s Ri Song-gum, who dominated the event with new world records a 91kg snatch, a 122kg clean and jerk, and a combined 213kg lift. Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen clinched bronze with a total of 198kg, falling just one kilogram short of Chanu’s mark.
At 31, Chanu’s determination remains unshaken. Earlier this year, she won gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in August, and now her silver in Norway reinforces her reputation as one of India’s most consistent international performers.
Her career has been glittered with medals from gold at the 2017 World Championships in Anaheim to silver at the 2022 Bogotá edition and of course, her historic silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
India’s Growing Weightlifting Presence
While Chanu’s medal was the highlight, the Indian squad made an impressive mark. Ajith Narayana and Ajaya Babu Valluri added golds at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships recently, while Lovepreet Singh, a bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Games, is spearheading India’s men’s contingent in Norway.
India’s women’s team includes Koyel Bar (53kg), Bindyarani Devi (58kg), Nirupama Devi Seram (63kg), Harjinder Kaur (69kg), Vanshita Verma (86kg), and Mehak Sharma (86kg+). The men’s lineup features Rishikanta Singh (60kg), Muthupandi Raja (65kg), Ajith Narayan (71kg), Ajaya Babu Valluri (79kg), Abhishek Nipane (88kg), Dilbag Singh (94kg), and Lovepreet Singh (110kg+).
With India’s squad showing depth and resilience, the World Weightlifting Championships 2025 has already proven to be a strong stage for the country’s athletes. For Mirabai Chanu, this silver medal is not just another addition to her illustrious career but also a statement of her continued dominance and hunger for success on the world stage.
