World Wrestling Championships: Antim Panghal to contest for bronze

NEW DELHI: Antim Panghal appeared poised to achieve redemption at the World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb on Wednesday, following a disappointing first-round exit at the Paris Olympics a year ago. The two-time junior world champion overcame a challenging bout against China’s Jin Zhang in the women’s 53kg quarterfinals by securing a winning takedown in the final four seconds, advancing to the semifinals.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In the round-of-16, the 2023 Worlds bronze medallist decisively defeated Spain’s Carla Jaume Soler in just 23 seconds, achieving a 10-0 victory. However, after overcoming Zhang, Antim faced Paris Olympics silver medallist Ecuador’s Lucia Yepez in the semifinals. A victory against Yepez would have secured Antim’s first final appearance on the sport’s most competitive stage.Reaching the semifinals marked a big achievement for Antim, making her the first Indian wrestler to advance to this stage at the ongoing championships. Antim demonstrated excellent preparation, exhibiting a relentless attacking strategy.Despite her efforts in the semifinal match, Antim was unable to execute a decisive takedown against Yepez in the closing seconds and lost 3-5. In their first period, Antim conceded an early four-point exposure throw, with Yepez leading 4-1. In the second, Yepez extended her lead with a pushout, while a determined Antim managed a takedown with 16 seconds remaining to reduce the deficit to 3-5. Yepez maintained her lead to win the bout. A devastated Antim exited the arena in tears.Earlier against Zhang, Antim took control with two powerful takedowns, establishing a 4-0 lead. She extended her advantage to 6-0 before Zhang responded with two points, reducing the lead to 6-2 at halftime. In the second period, Zhang intensified her attacks with additional takedowns and two lace turns, bringing the score to 8-6. Antim scored a pushout, and with 18 seconds remaining, secured the decisive takedown to win 9-8 and progress to the semifinals.Antim will now aim to conclude her campaign positively by winning the bronze medal via repechage.Alongside Antim, another Indian wrestler, Priya Malik, will contest the bronze medal against Cuba’s Milaimys Marín, a Paris Olympic medalist.