In Belgrade, Serbia, on Wednesday, Indian wrestler Antim Panghal shocked reigning world champion Olivia Dominique Parrish when she began her World Championship campaign. Parrish, who is presently ranked No. 2 in the world, was defeated by Antim, World No. 31. Panghal successfully held onto her narrow lead and prevailed 3-2 to triumph at the current World Wrestling Championships.
Panghal then faced World No. 30 ranked Roksana Zasina of Poland in the following round. With a simple 10-0 victory, Antim qualified for the World Championship quarterfinal. In the quarter-final, Antim locked horns against Russia’s Natalia Malysheva. Malysheva, another higher rank fighter, was defeated by Antim 9-6 as the Indian youngster stormed into the semi-final.
In the semi-final, Antim is slated to face Belarus’ Vanesa Kaladzinskaya, who is ranked No. 23 in the World. The Indian hopes to become the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade. Since she won the Under-20 World Championship in Amman last month, Antim has maintained exceptional fitness.
In Haryana's Hisar district, in the village of Bhagana, Antim Panghal was born. Ramniwas Panghal is her father, while Krishna Kumari is her mother. She competes in the 53 kg freestyle wrestling division.
Here is all you need to know about Antim Panghal:
Age: 19 years
Year of birth: 2004
Hails from: Hisar, Haryana
Wrestling category: 53 kg
Achievements:
Silver medal at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championship in Astana
Gold medal at the 2023 U-20 World Wrestling Championships in Amman
Gold medal at 2022 U-20 World Wrestling Championships in Sofia
