Wrestling Selection Trials, Asian Games: Antim Panghal wins 53kg category

Despite qualifying from her group, the U-20 World Champion will be picked as a reserve member.

After much delays regarding wrestling selection trials for Asian Games, the women's trials were concluded on Saturday July 22nd with several wrestlers booking their ticket to Hangzhou. Antim Panghal from Haryana leapfrogged several wrestlers to claim the top spot in the 53kg category.

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In the 57kg category, two heavyweights Sarita Mor and Anshu Malik clashed against each other in the first round. In the end, Sarita Mor got the better of four-time Asian Championships medallist to progress to the next round. However, her stay remained short as Manshi knocked her out of the wrestling selection trials and in the process bagged her spot in the Asian Games squad.

Apart from Sarita and Anshu in 57kg, youngster Sito was also an athlete to watch out for. Sito had few good encounters on the way to the final but couldn't overcome the final hurdle.

Commonwealth Games 2022 bronze medallist Pooja Gehlot had a smooth sailing, defeating Shivani (10-0) in the opening round. Thereafter there was no stopping her and in the final pinned Nirmala to book a spot for the Asiad.

Talented wrestler Divya Kakran who won bronze medal in the 2018 edition of the Asian Games couldn't make the cut this time with Radhika emerging victorious.

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Antim Panghal sustained all the pressure from outside to eventually emerge victorious. The Delhi HC upheld the ad-hoc committee's order and her chance even after emerging victorious in wrestling selection trials looks uncertain. Next up, the Greco-Roman alongside men's freestyle trials are set to take place.

Women's wrestlers who qualified for Asian Games

50kg - Pooja Gehlot

53kg - Antim Panghal (Antim will be in the reserves with Vinesh Phogat getting a direct entry)

57kg - Manshi

62kg - Sonam Malik

68kg - Radhika

76kg - Kiran