Antim Panghal defends U-20 Wrestling World Championships title; first Indian to become junior world champion twice

Last year she became first from India to win gold in her category at the junior level.

Defending champion Antim Panghal successfully defended her women's 53kg title after winning gold at the ongoing U-20 Wrestling World Championships. She is now the first Indian to win two U-20 Wrestling World Championships titles.

After leading India to their best-ever performance in the last edition, Antim Panghal spearheaded India’s challenge in the current edition of U-20 Wrestling World Championships in Jordan. Panghal, who hails from Hisar in Haryana, defeated Mariia Yefremova of Ukraine to successfully defended her world championships title.

Antim Panghal dominates, concedes only two points

Antim's ferocious and commanding performance in the tournament allowed her to relinquish merely two points in the entire competition. Interestingly Mariia Yefremova never lost a bout internationally before this match. It certainly made her a tough competitor to fight in a championship bout. However, Antim Panghal's dominating performance made it an effortless win in the final bout.

Her comprehensive performance lasting the entire tournament certainly makes this young Indian wrestler one for the ages. It is abundantly clear that she is destined to dominate this category in the times ahead. Also, this win will help her progress well ahead of the Asian Games with Vinesh Phogat withdrawing due to an injury.

Gold rush For Indian women's wrestling

The women's wrestling has won a total of three gold medals in this edition of the U-20 Wrestling World Championships in Jordan. For the first time in the history of the championships, Indian women's wrestling contingent bagged the top spot in the team rankings ahead of USA and Japan.

Antim Panghal's overall performance

1/8 - beat Nikola Monika Wisniewska (10-0) by VFA

Quarter-finals - beat Xuejing Liang (12-2)

Semi-finals - beat Polina Lukina (12-00

Final - beat Mariia Yefremova (4-0)