Mirabai Chanu made a grand return to competitive action with a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad on August 25, 2025. The Indian weightlifting star dominated the women’s 48kg event, lifting a total of 193kg (84kg snatch and 109kg clean and jerk). This performance not only marked her successful comeback after the Tokyo Olympics, where she finished fourth, but also saw her break Commonwealth records for both snatch and clean and jerk in the 48kg category.

Competing in front of a home crowd, Mirabai expressed immense joy after her victory, saying, "I am truly delighted to win the gold medal here in Ahmedabad. Competing on home soil after a year since the Paris Olympics made this moment even more special, and the support from the crowd gave me immense motivation." This victory is a testament to her relentless hard work, her coaches' guidance, and the constant support of her fans.

Although she had been out of action for a while, Mirabai’s performance showed no signs of major setbacks. She faced some early struggles, including failing her first snatch attempt at 84kg, but quickly recovered to complete the lift. Despite missing her final attempt at 89kg for the snatch, she excelled in the clean and jerk, hitting 109kg on her second attempt and narrowly missing 113kg in her final attempt.

This win not only secured Mirabai her third Commonwealth Championships gold in the 48kg category, having previously won titles in 2013 and 2017, but also set high expectations for the upcoming World Championships and Asian Games. Mirabai's next major target will be the World Championships in October, where she will aim to secure a podium finish in her new weight category, now officially designated as 48kg.

Mirabai’s success at the Commonwealth Championships also provides valuable momentum for the Asian Games in 2026, a competition where she has yet to win a medal. Her impressive performance in Ahmedabad serves as a confidence boost as she prepares for these prestigious international events.