Asian Wrestling C'ships: Antim Panghal wins silver in 53kg

The 18-year-old lost to Japanese grappler Akari Fujinami in the final.

U-20 World Champion Antim Panghal took home the silver medal after losing to Japanese Akari Fujinami (10-0) at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan. The 18-year-old had an easy path en route to the finals losing only one point (in the semi-finals). The only point she lost was through a caution in the semi-final clash against Aktenge Keunimjaeva.

In the final, Antim Panghal had no answers against 2021 World Championship gold medallist Fujinami who dominated the match from the start. The match lasted for close to three minutes and Antim looked clueless but kept pushing in the limited time. Japanese wrestlers have tormented Indian wrestlers in the current edition of the Asian Wrestling Championships.

India lost three semi-final matches to Japanese wrestlers today and Antim became the latest entry into the list. India's women wrestlers have so far won three medals (two silver and a bronze) with three more bronze medal matches to go (Ashu Malik, Sonam, and Reethika). 

Antim Panghal’s performance at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships

1. Qualification - beats Ping Alvina Lim (10-0) by VFA

2. Quarterfinal - beats Deng Li (6-0) by VPO

3. Semifinal - beats Aktenge Keunimjaeva (8-1) by VFA

4. Final - lost to Akari Fujinami (0-10) by VSU 

*VFA - Win by Fall and VSU - Win by Technical Superiority

Antim Panghal's career highlights

Antim Panghal created history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win the gold medal at the World U-20 Wrestling Championship last year and since then she has been in good form. In 2021, Antim bagged the bronze medal in Cadet World Championships (her first medal in the international stage). 

Major Career trophies so far

Silver medal - 2022 U-23 Asian Championships

Gold Medal - 2022 U-20 Asian Championships

Gold Medal - 2022 Zouhaier Sghaier (first senior title)

Gold Medal - 2022 U-20 World Championships