New Delhi, India – India’s wrestling contingent for the upcoming World Championships is taking shape, with Antim Panghal, arguably the most accomplished among the contenders, sealing her berth in the women’s 53kg weight class with a dominant performance at the trials on Sunday. Alongside her, Vaishnavi Patil (65kg) and Manisha Bhanwala (62kg) also secured their spots with impressive displays, signaling a blend of experience and emerging talent in the Indian team. The World Championships are set to be held in Zagreb from September 13 to 21.
Panghal’s Dominant Return to Form
At just 20 years old, Antim Panghal already boasts an impressive resume, having secured medals at the senior World Championships (a bronze in 2023), the Asian Games (bronze), and the Asian Championships (silver in 2023, bronze in 2025). Her prowess was evident at the trials, where she outplayed Madhya Pradesh’s Pooja and Gujarat’s Hinaben without conceding a single point.
In a display of her signature aggressive style, Panghal employed a potent double-leg attack against Pooja, quickly racing to a 6-0 lead with a decisive ‘feetlay’ maneuver that saw her roll her opponent thrice. The move, unfortunately, resulted in a knee injury for Pooja, who was unable to continue. In the final, Antim proved too formidable for Hinaben, overpowering her with relentless right-leg attacks to win by technical superiority.
Learning from Controversy: The Paris Olympics Incident
Antim Panghal made headlines in 2022 by becoming the country’s first-ever Under-20 World Champion, a title she successfully defended in 2023. Her trajectory led her to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, her Olympic debut was marred by controversy. She not only struggled to find her rhythm on the mat, exiting after her opening bout against Turkey’s Zeynep Yetgil, but also faced disciplinary action for an incident involving her sister. Her sister, Nisha Panghal, was reportedly detained after attempting to enter the Games Village using Antim’s accreditation card, leading to Antim’s accreditation being revoked and her early return from Paris.
Addressing the tough period post-Olympics, Antim admitted to making “mistakes,” attributing them to a “lack of awareness” rather than deliberate mischief. “The federation did not have any issue with me. There was confusion; I also made a mistake. I did not realise that it was getting out of hand. The Olympics is different from the Asian Games and the World Championships. I did not know much,” she explained in an interview. She detailed the pressure and unfamiliar environment of the Games Village, which she believed affected her performance.
Despite the hurdles, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) ultimately supported her, stopping short of severe disciplinary action. She was asked to train at the national camp, a proposal she initially resisted for an overseas training stint with her personal coach but eventually accepted. “The federation has been helpful; I was sent to two tournaments where I won gold,” she stated, emphasizing her renewed commitment. “I never take things for granted. Bouts can go either way… I have made amends now.”
A Young Team for Zagreb
The Indian team for the World Championships will feature a largely young roster, with only a few wrestlers over the age of 20 securing their spots. The trials saw smaller-sized draws due to fewer entries, but some categories still delivered fierce competition.
In the 65kg class, Maharashtra’s Vaishnavi Patil emerged victorious from a tough field. Despite trailing Freedom Yadav 0-4, she staged a remarkable comeback to win 10-6, before triumphing over Muskan 7-2 in the final. Patil’s success was built on her fast movement, solid defense, effective counter-attacks, and her ability to turn adverse situations to her advantage.
The 62kg category saw a head-to-head battle between Manisha Bhanwala and Mansi Ahlawat, with Manisha prevailing 2-0 after a largely standing wrestling contest where she successfully stifled Mansi’s movements.
Other notable qualifiers include Jyoti (72kg), who overcame a 0-6 deficit to win 11-6 against Harshita, and Priya Malik (76kg), who defeated seasoned Kiran 4-2. The lineup is completed by Ankush (50kg), Nishu (55kg), Tapasya (57kg), Neha (59kg), and Srishti (68kg). This young, determined squad will look to make their mark on the world stage in Zagreb.
Wrestlers to qualify for World Championship
50 kg- Ankush
53 kg- Antim Panghal
55 kg- Nishu
57 kg- Tapasya
59 kg- Neha Sangwan
62 kg- Manisha Bhanwala
65 kg- Vaishnavi Patil
68 kg- Srishti
72 kg- Jyoti Berwal
76 kg- Priya Malik
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