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Meenakshi Goyat's Stunning Comeback Seals Asian Wrestling Final Spot

Indian wrestler Meenakshi Goyat staged a remarkable comeback in the final seconds to defeat South Korea's Seoyoung Park and advance to the women's 53kg final at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships. Her teammates Hansika Lamba (55kg) and Neha (59kg) both secured bronze medals for India with decisive victories in their respective bouts. Several other Indian wrestlers, including Harshita and Monika, are set to compete in bronze medal matches on Friday. The medals add to India's tally after the men's Greco-Roman team previously won two silver and three bronze medals.

Key Points: India's Meenakshi Goyat Reaches Asian Wrestling Final, Wins Bronze

  • Meenakshi Goyat's last-minute comeback
  • Two bronze medals for Hansika Lamba & Neha
  • Indian Greco-Roman wrestlers won 5 medals earlier
  • More medal bouts scheduled for Friday
2 min read

Asian Wrestling Championships 2026: Meenakshi Goyat reaches 53kg final, Hansika Lamba, Neha get bronze medals

Meenakshi Goyat reaches 53kg final at Asian Wrestling Championships 2026. Hansika Lamba, Neha win bronze medals for India in Bishkek.

"The 25-year-old surprised her opponent with a four-point throw and then defended her position to reach the final - Press Release"

New Delhi, April 9

Two-time National champion Meenakshi Goyat came back from the brink to beat South Korea's Seoyoung Park to reach the final of the women's 53kg category while Hansika Lamba added another bronze medal to India's tally at the 2026 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Thursday.

Meenakshi, who had booked her spot in the Indian team for the continental championships by beating two-time world championships bronze medallist Antim Panghal, was trailing 0-2 till the last 30 seconds against the Korean. However, the 25-year-old surprised her opponent with a four-point throw and then defended her position to reach the final, according to a press release.

The former Asian U-23 champion will now face China's Jin Zhang, who defeated Japan's Moe Kiyooka by fall.

Later, Hansika Lamba (55kg) and Neha (59kg) added two bronze medals to India's tally after the men's Greco-Roman wrestlers had bagged two silver and three bronze on the first three days of competition.

In the women's 55kg bronze medal bout, Hansika was cautious in the first round against Kyrgyzstan's Aruuke Kadyrbek Kyzy. The 19-year-old Indian then opened her account with a take-down in the first minute of the second round with a leg attack. She then pressed for the advantage and won the bout 6-1.

Neha then added the seventh medal to India's tally when she registered a dominating 10-4 win over Mongolia's Bolortuya Khurelkhuu in the women's 59kg bronze medal play-off.

Meanwhile, Harshita (72kg) and Monika (65kg) will aim for a bronze medal on Friday. Harshita went down 2-7 against 2024 Asian Championships gold medallist Mahiro Yoshitake of Japan in the women's 72kg semi-final and will now face Sevinchoy Polvonova of Uzbekistan for the bronze medal.

In the women's 65kg category, Monika had lost to eventual finalist Nana Ikehata of Japan in the quarter-finals. She will now face losing semi-finalist Hanbit Lee of South Korea in the bronze medal bout.

Minakshi (57kg) and Mansi (62kg) will also have a chance to win a medal after making it to the Repechage round, after the wrestlers lost to reach the finals of their respective weight categories.

In the Repechage round, Minakshi will face Kyrgyzstan's Tancholpon Kybalbekova, and Mansi will take on Mongolia's Tserenchimed Sukhee on Friday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
So proud of all our wrestlers! Hansika and Neha securing bronze is fantastic. It's great to see such depth in the team across different weight categories. Hoping Harshita and Monika can add to the medal tally tomorrow. Go for gold, Meenakshi!
V
Vikram M
Beating Antim Panghal to get into the team and now reaching the Asian final... Meenakshi Goyat is the real deal. The competition within India must be fierce, and that only makes our athletes stronger. Kudos to the coaching staff as well. 🏅
P
Priya S
While the medals are coming, I hope the federation is providing these athletes with the best facilities and support. We've seen champions struggle after their careers. Let's ensure a sustainable system for them. That said, brilliant performance, girls! Jai Hind!
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Neha E
Hansika is only 19! To win a bronze at the Asian Championships at that age is phenomenal. The experience she's gaining now is priceless for the future. The pipeline of talent looks very strong. 💪
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Rohit P
Great to see medals in both Greco-Roman and women's wrestling. A total of 7 medals already is a good haul. Fingers crossed for the repechage rounds and the bronze matches tomorrow. Bring more glory home!

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