India, Aug. 28 -- It was a comeback for the ages as Saikhom Mirabai Chanu clinched gold on Monday at the ongoing 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships. Hauling a total of 193kg (84kg in snatch, 109kg in clean and jerk), the weightlifter broke the Commonwealth record in all three categories, with a quiet proclamation: "I'm back."

Her golden comeback has come after months of uncertainty and frustration, following an injury that kept her out of the ring ever since she made news at Paris Olympics 2024. Back to her dominating best, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medallist says, "There was a lot of pressure to perform, especially after my injury (post the 2024 Paris Olympics) and the added challenge of moving from the 49kg to the 48kg ...