Imphal, Sep 23 Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Wednesday said weightlifter Mirabai Chanu’s silver medal at the ongoing Asian Games in Japan has brought immense pride to the state and the country.
Chanu won her first-ever Asian Games medal by bagging silver in the women’s 48 kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.
The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist totalled 198kg, lifting 88kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk to claim India’s first Asian Games weightlifting medal since Karnam Malleswari won bronze in 1998.
“Heartiest congratulations to our pride of Manipur, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, on winning the Silver Medal in the Women’s 49kg Weightlifting event at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, with a remarkable total lift of 198kg,” the CM said.
“Her strength, determination and perseverance have once again brought immense pride to Manipur and India,” he said.
Singh told Chanu that the state government will continue to support sportspersons and provide all possible help to promote sports in the state, an official statement said.
Singh made the assurance during an interaction with the weightlifter through video conference from the Civil Secretariat here.
Extending his heartiest congratulations, Singh said the Manipuri lifter has again made the whole country proud and that her hard work, discipline and perseverance are an inspiration for all young sportspersons of the country, especially the state’s youth.
He added that the state government will continue to support sportspersons and will provide all possible help to promote sports in the state.
Chanu also told Singh that she was very happy to see the people of Manipur supporting and standing by her.
Manipur Police, in a statement, said Chanu’s medal has ended India’s 28-year-long wait for a weightlifting medal at the Asian Games.
Chanu is an Additional SP (Sports) in Manipur Police.
“Manipur Police salutes Padma Shri Mirabai Chanu on winning the Silver Medal in Women’s 49kg Weightlifting at the Asian Games 2026, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan today with a total lift of 198kg. You have completed your medal set and ended India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal. The entire nation, especially Manipur, is proud of you,” it said.
Manipur Police also extended its heartiest congratulations to Naorem Roshibina Devi, deputy SP in the force, for winning the silver medal in Wushu — Women’s Sanda 60kg at the Asian Games.
“Roshibina has created history as the first Indian Wushu player ever to win three consecutive Asian Games medals,” it said.
(PTI News)
