After a disappointing outing at the Paris Olympics, Antim Panghal (53kg) bounced back spectacularly, clinching a bronze medal at the World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb on Thursday. This significant achievement also places her alongside Vinesh Phogat as a two-time World Championships bronze medalist.
The 21-year-old wrestling sensation secured India’s inaugural medal of the championships by dominating Swedish Olympian Emma Jonna Malmgren with a commanding 9-1 victory in a fiercely contested bronze-medal match.
Panghal established an early 3-0 lead by earning a passivity point and executing a powerful takedown before the interval. She maintained her strong defense in the second period, ultimately sealing her win with a rapid two-point move and a breathtaking throw that left Malmgren no chance.
Unfortunately, fellow Indian wrestler Priya Malik (76kg) couldn’t replicate Panghal’s success, falling to Olympic medalist Milaimys Marin with a decisive 0-10 loss in her bronze-medal match.
Meanwhile, in the Greco-Roman category, Aman (77kg) advanced to the repechage round. This happened despite his earlier 8-0 defeat to Olympic champion Nao Kusaka, as Kusaka later reached the final, offering Aman a second chance for a medal.
However, it was an early exit for other Indian wrestlers, including Anil Mor (55kg), Rahul (82kg), and Sonu (130kg), who were eliminated in their respective categories.