Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu will be one of the major attractions for India on Day 5 of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The Olympic medallist is competing in the women’s 49kg weightlifting final, with the event scheduled for September 23.
Chanu is aiming to win her first Asian Games medal. Despite her success at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games levels, an Asian Games medal has remained missing from her collection. At 32, she is among the experienced lifters in the 49kg field and will be looking to add another major achievement to her career.
The weightlifting final is scheduled for 10 a.m. IST. Chanu’s appearance is one of several important medal opportunities for India on a busy day that also includes shooting, badminton, hockey, kabaddi, boxing and other sports.
Chanu has already enjoyed success in 2026. She won a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and her experience on major international stages will be important as she competes against some of Asia’s strongest weightlifters.
Her Asian Games journey has received considerable attention because of the medal that has so far eluded her. A successful performance in Aichi-Nagoya would add an Asian Games medal to a career that already includes major international honours.
India will have another important weightlifting medal opportunity later in the day. Gyaneshwari Yadav is scheduled to compete in the women’s 53kg final at 1:30 p.m. IST.
The wider Indian contingent will also be involved in several major events. Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh and Suruchi Inder Singh are scheduled to compete in the women’s 10m air pistol events, while India’s men’s badminton team faces China in the semifinal. The women’s hockey team is also scheduled to play Thailand.
India entered Day 5 after winning its first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games. The women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the T20 final, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 79 and Richa Ghosh making an unbeaten 49.
For Chanu, however, the focus will be firmly on the weightlifting platform. She will look to convert years of training and international experience into the Asian Games medal that has so far been missing from her record.