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Mirabai Chanu and Aznil Bidin were the stars on the opening day of weightlifting at Glasgow 2026, making it a day to remember for India and Malaysia – and Asia.

Chanu became the first woman to win three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games when she finished clear at 48kg, and Aznil’s victory at 65kg made him the first man to complete a hat-trick this century. He was also the first three-time male winner from Asia.

Mirabai Chanu (IND)

India and Malaysia were both on the podium in all three events. Aniq Kasdan won for a second time at 60kg for Malaysia, and Irene Henry was third behind Chanu.

India had Chanu’s gold, and silvers for Rishikanta Chanambam at 60kg and Raja Muthipandi at 65kg.

Chanu beamed her way through an endless series of interviews after finishing 22kg clear of her nearest rival, Ruth Nyong from Nigeria.

Women’s 48kg podium

This was the lowest total of Chanu’s three straight victories and she is 31 now. So will she be going for four in a row when India hosts the 2030 Commonwealth Games? “I’ll be trying,” Chanu laughed.

“This third gold medal means so much to me. This sport has changed my life, it has given me everything and I am a very proud weightlifter. I have to try for more medals.”

Chanu, who was second in the same venue here on her Games debut in 2014, set a Commonwealth snatch record in making 85-105-190 from three good lifts. She missed both openers and declined her final attempt.

Nyong was equally happy. She was third at halfway and missed her first two clean and jerks before making the final one to turn a bombout into a silver medal on 75-93-168. Henry made 77-90-167 in third place.

“I am so tired after that, but so happy with the medal,” Nyong said. “I had a lot of support from my team-mates, and now I’ll be back here to cheer for them – after a nice rest.”

India and Malaysia both showed the benefits of lengthy pre-Games training camps, India at Wolverhampton in England and Malaysia in Turkiye.

Aznil is eight years older than Aniq at 32 and may have to fend off a challenge from his team-mate at 65kg.

Aniq Kasdan (MAS)

At the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics the lightest men’s category will be 65kg, which is more than Aniq has ever weighed even in training. “I know I will need to improve by 40 to 60 kilos but I’ll work for it,” said Aniq, 24.

He made all six attempts for victory at 60kg on 121-152-273. “It was tough, there was pressure, I was nervous, but it went well,” he said.

Joshua Mboya (KEN)

Chanambam was second on 121-143-264 and Joshua Mboya from Kenya was third on 115-145-260, a six-from-six career best by 19kg. He was Kenya’s first Commonwealth Games weightlifting medallist since Collins Nyawalo in 1994.

At the start of the year Mboya, 20, was awarded an Olympic scholarship. “Without it I would have to be working or studying,” he said. “This support means I can train full time, twice a day. This is my biggest achievement today and my next ambition is to qualify for the Olympic Games.”

Men’s 60kg podium

Aznil made four from six for 133-166-299 and was never really pushed by those behind him. Muthupandi made only two good lifts for 126-160-286 and Morea Baru from Papua New Guinea finished third on 125-157-282.

Baru, 36, was lifting at his fifth Commonwealth Games and took his medal tally to two silvers and two bronzes.

Aznil Bidin (MAS)

Aznil said that if Aniq moves up to 65kg “it will be healthy competition”. When the two vied for one slot at Paris 2024, Aniq edged out Aznil and finished fourth at 61kg. “It’s my turn next time,” said Aznil.

Men’s 65kg podium

He added: “Winning three times at the Commonwealth Games only makes me want to keep going and try for a fourth gold medal.”

By Brian Oliver

Photos by Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia