Mirabai Chanu Prioritizes Asian Games Over Commonwealth Games 2026

The Commonwealth Games 2026 have commenced with great enthusiasm, as India aims to secure numerous medals, particularly in weightlifting, where Mirabai Chanu stands out as a prominent contender. Chanu, who has previously clinched gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in both 2018 and 2022, is now on the hunt for her third gold medal. However, in a surprising revelation, the 2020 Olympic silver medalist announced that she would not be exerting her full effort during this event. In an interview with PTI, Chanu expressed her intention to focus primarily on the upcoming Asian Games 2026, scheduled for September and October, indicating that her performance at the Commonwealth Games would be strategically limited. She confirmed that she would not attempt to lift the challenging 90kg snatch during this competition, reserving her energy and ambition for the Asian Games instead.

Chanu articulated her thoughts clearly, stating, "I will not give my full effort in the Commonwealth Games. My focus is the Asian Games, which are very near. I am training according to that. So, my performance and effort here will depend on that plan." This statement underscores her commitment to her training regimen aimed at achieving peak performance during the Asian Games. She further acknowledged the unpredictability of athletic performance, saying, "You can’t really predict how the body will perform on a given day but I will try to get 90kg in the Asian Games for sure." This approach highlights her strategic mindset as she prepares for the significant continental competition.