Key Points

Antim Panghal has made Indian wrestling history by securing her second consecutive World Championships bronze medal. She defeated Sweden's two-time European champion Jonna Malmgren with a convincing 9-1 victory. This achievement makes her only the second Indian woman after Vinesh Phogat to win multiple world medals. Her campaign included dominant wins and a tough semi-final loss to an Olympic silver medalist.

Key Points: Antim Panghal Wins Second World Wrestling Bronze Medal for India

  • Defeated two-time European champion Jonna Malmgren 9-1
  • Won her second consecutive World Championships bronze medal
  • Only Indian after Vinesh Phogat with multiple world medals
  • Started campaign with dominant 10-0 technical superiority win
2 min read

World Wrestling C'ships: Antim secures second successive bronze, enters history books

Indian wrestler Antim Panghal makes history with her second consecutive World Championships bronze medal in the women's 53kg category, defeating Sweden's Jonna Malmgren.

"Antim...becoming the only Indian after Vinesh Phogat to have multiple World Championships medals - Olympics.com"

Zagreb, September 18

Olympian Antim Panghal secured India's first medal at the World Wrestling Championships at Zagreb, Croatia, a bronze medal in women's 53 kg on Thursday.

Antim defeated two-time European champion Jonna Malmgren of Sweden 9-1 and made herself a part of the Indian wrestling history books, becoming the only Indian after Vinesh Phogat to have multiple World Championships medals, as per Olympics.com.

Antim had secured a bronze medal back in 2023 as well at Belgrade, defeating the same opponent by a bigger margin of 16-6 via technical superiority.

Women's wrestlers have secured at least one medal for India during the last three editions of the World Championships.

Antim's campaign started with a massive 10-0 victory by technical superiority against Spain's Carla Jaume Soler in the pre-quarterfinals. In the quarterfinal, a win over China's Zhang Jin came in a tense manner, by 9-8, before she fell to Paris 2024 silver medalist Lucia Yepez of Ecuador in the semis.

Meanwhile, the Asian Champion Manisha Bhanwala missed out on a chance to qualify for the bronze medal in 62 kg women's freestyle wrestling, as she lost to Bulgaria's Bilyana Dudova in her repechage round by 9-0.

But India's Greco-Roman wrestlers struggled, with none of the four wrestlers winning their matches.

In pre-quarters, Anil Mor, who was a part of the 55kg weight class, lost 8-0 to four-time world champion and current world No. 1 Eldaniz Azizli of Azerbaijan. Aman, India's representative in the men's 77 kg category, lost by 8-0 (technical superiority) to Japan's Olympic champion Nao Kusaka in the round of 32.

In the men's 82 kg division, Rahul managed to earn a point, but still faced a 7-1 loss to Almir Tolebayev of Kazakhstan in qualification.

In the 130 kg category, Sonu also lost in the qualification stages, going down to Olympian Marko Koscevic of Croatia.

A total of 30 golds are up for grabs across men's freestyle, women's freestyle and Greco-Roman events.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Women's wrestling continues to be our strength while Greco-Roman struggles. We need to invest more in all disciplines, not just focus on freestyle. Still, fantastic performance by Antim! 👏
S
Sarah B
That 10-0 victory in pre-quarters was absolutely dominant! Antim's technical superiority wins show she's in a different class. Hope she continues this form for upcoming competitions.
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Vikram M
Becoming only the second Indian woman after Vinesh Phogat to win multiple World Championship medals - that's some elite company! Antim is definitely our next wrestling superstar. 🏆
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Michael C
The Greco-Roman results are concerning. Losing all four matches without much fight shows we need better coaching and exposure in these styles. Our wrestlers deserve better preparation.
P
Priya S
Antim's journey from beating the same opponent 16-6 last year to 9-1 this year shows she's evolving her technique. Less flashy but more controlled winning. Smart wrestling! 💪

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