Born to a poor family in Nongpok Kakching village about 20 kilometres from the capital Imphal, the youngest among six siblings, Mirabai would go to collect firewood from a nearby hill with her brother Saikhom Sanatomba Meitei, who is four years her elder.
A memorandum to visiting Union Home Minister Amit A Shah, stated: 'Paramilitary forces might have been reluctant to prevent Kuki terrorists from attacking innocent civilians,' the news agency IANS reported.
Mirabai Chanu talks about training in lockdown and her plans to return to her old fitness regime.
Mirabai Chanu's medal hopes swell after North Korea's withdrawal from Olympics
While weightlifter Mirabai Chanu bagged silver, badminton star PV Sindhu and boxing legend Lovlina won bronze in the Tokyo Olympics. The trio graced the cover of the latest edition of the leading fashion magazine.
Chanu has consistently improved in the section to stay in contention for medals at top events.
The gold went to China's Hou Zhihui with an effort of 210kg (94kg+116kg), who created Olympic records in all three categories (snatch, clean and jerk and Total).
India's Saikhom Mirabai Chanu turned in a highly disappointing performance at the Rio Olympics, as she could not get an overall total in women's 48kg after failing to lift the weight in any of her three attempts in clean & jerk section. In a field of 12 lifters, she was one of two who did not finish (DNF) her event.
The former world champion ended with a total lift of 201kg (88kg+113kg), which is far from her personal best.
Mirabai Chanu's show was below her personal best.
After the high of the Tokyo Games, India's Olympic silver medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has turned her focus on winning a second world championship title and is ironing out the chinks in her armour ahead of the event.
The reigning Commonwealth Games champion is struggling with an unidentified lower-back problem since May and is yet to begin full-fledged weight training.
India's ace weightlifter Mirabai Chanu stated that she has been competing in the 48-49kg category and will need to move to the 53kg category for the 2028 Olympics due to a change in weight classes. She expressed confidence in her ability to participate in the 2028 event.
The 24-year-old Manipuri lifted 82kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk to finish on top of the podium after recovering from the injury, which required extensive physiotherapy.
Chanu, who is employed with the Indian Railways, lifted 85kg in snatch and 109kg in clean and jerk to total an impressive 194kg in the women's 48kg, setting a new national record in the process.
Indian boxer Sachin Siwach advanced to the pre-quarterfinals in the men's 60kg class, while the women's lawn bowls pair of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh secured their third consecutive victory at the Commonwealth Games. Despite some disappointments in swimming and wheelchair basketball, India is looking forward to potential medals, with Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu expected to retain her weightlifting crown.
Mirabai Chanu will enter Birmingham, as title favourite.
'I am very happy to win the first medal for India at these Games. I don't just belong to Manipur, I belong to the whole country'
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year twice in a row.
India is relying heavily on its boxing, weightlifting, and athletics contingents to maintain its two-decade streak of top-five finishes at the Commonwealth Games, which opens in Glasgow.
India achieved a historic one-two finish in the men's 100m T47 para athletics final at the Commonwealth Games, with Dilip Mahadu Gavit winning gold and Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath securing silver. This marked India's third gold medal at the Games.
Indian weightlifters are set to compete in the Asian Championships, aiming to leverage home advantage and gain momentum for the upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, expressing confidence in their passion, determination, and spirit of excellence. He noted that the Games feature 215 events across 10 sports.
India's weightlifting contingent for the Commonwealth Games has seen its quota reduced from 16 to 11 lifters, leading to the withdrawal of Dilbagh Singh. This reduction is a direct consequence of multiple Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) by Indian lifters during the qualification period, highlighting ongoing doping issues within the sport.
India's top athletes are ready for the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Here is the complete schedule, key events and timings for the Indian contingent.
Mirabai Chanu produced a record-breaking performance to expectedly win the gold medal at the Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad on Monday.
Indian weightlifting once again revolved around the enduring brilliance of Mirabai Chanu, whose World Championships silver was the single biggest achievement for the sport in a year marked by doping concerns and senior-level stagnation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. He expressed the nation's hopes for outstanding performances. India has seen promising results, including a bronze medal and advancements in boxing and lawn bowls, while also facing some setbacks. Modi also highlighted a unique Sanskrit language initiative in Keralam.
Mirabai will desperately hope for a different script this time round, one that involves a podium.
The parents of Indian para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar celebrated his bronze medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, saying years of hardship and determination had finally paid off.
Raja Muthupandi completed a remarkable comeback from a career-threatening elbow injury to win Commonwealth Games 2026 silver, dedicating the medal to his parents and coach while vowing to return stronger.
Indian athletes delivered a strong performance at the Commonwealth Games, with weightlifters Gyaneshwari Yadav and Bindyarani Devi securing silver and bronze medals respectively. Several athletes, including long jumpers M Sreeshankar and Lokesh Sathyanathan, boxers Sachin Siwach and Ankush, and swimmers Sajan Prakash, Aryan Nehra, and Swatik Patel, also advanced to their respective finals or quarter-finals, showcasing India's diverse talent across multiple disciplines.
The 23rd Commonwealth Games opened in Glasgow with a vibrant ceremony blending Scottish heritage and a strong message of sustainability. King Charles III declared the Games open, highlighting efforts to combat plastic pollution. The event featured a unique indoor setting, an early athletes' parade including the Indian contingent, and diverse musical and cultural performances, setting a new precedent for the multi-sport event.
The 23rd Commonwealth Games opened in Glasgow with a vibrant ceremony at the OVO Hydro, blending Scottish heritage with modern performances. King Charles III declared the Games open, emphasising a message of sustainability, particularly regarding plastic pollution in oceans. The event showcased a new, more compact model for the Games, focusing on existing venues and integrated Para sports, following Glasgow's role as a step-in host.
Indian athletes delivered a strong performance at the Commonwealth Games, with weightlifters Gyaneshwari Yadav and Bindyarani Devi securing silver and bronze medals respectively. Several athletes, including long jumpers M Sreeshankar and Lokesh Sathyanathan, boxers Sachin Siwach and Ankush, and swimmers Sajan Prakash, Aryan Nehra, and Swatik Patel, also advanced to their respective finals or quarter-finals, showcasing India's diverse talent across multiple disciplines.
The 2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships, featuring athletes from 30 countries, will be held in Gandhinagar from May 11 to 17. The event serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Sports Ministry has approved a 191-member Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, comprising 126 athletes and 51 officials. The Ministry has stipulated that expenses for Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Committee members will not be covered by the government. Additionally, National Sports Federations are required to conduct background checks on their contingents, and a performance report must be submitted post-Games.
Komal Kohar secured a bronze medal for India in the women's 48kg weight class at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar. She lifted a combined 177kg. Chinese Taipei dominated the event with a gold and silver finish.
Indian para-athlete Dilip Mahadu Gavit, fresh off winning the Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medal in the men's T47 100m with a Games record, dedicated his triumph to his coach Vaijanath Kale on Guru Purnima, crediting him for spotting his talent and transforming his career.
India's R Vaishali wins the FIDE Women's Candidates 2026 in Cyprus, earning the right to challenge world champion Ju Wenjun and drawing praise for her historic achievement.
