Asian Games 2023: Antim Panghal settles for bronze in women’s freestyle 53kg wrestling

India’s teen sensation Antim Panghal won the bronze medal getting better of Tokyo Olympics medallist Mongolia’s Bolortuya Bat-Ochir 3-1 but other Indian wrestlers struggled at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Antim Pangal bounced back after losing to two-time world champion Akari Fujinami from Japan in the quarterfinals in a superb manner as she did not let the Mongolian attack much in the women’s 53kg bronze play-off. Antim saved the day for the Indian squad which badly needed a medal after Narinder Cheema in the Greco-Roman 97kg weight category, Naveen in Greco Roman 130kg category, and Pooja Gehlot in the women’s 50kg weight category were forced out.

News Flash: Bronze medal for Antim Panghal

Antim did in style beating Olympic & World medalist Bat-Ochir Bolortuya of Mongolia 3-1.
86th Medal for India

📸 @wrestling #AGwithIAS #IndiaAtAsianGames #AsianGames2022 pic.twitter.com/YXxfBpKCXx

— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) October 5, 2023

Antim had come to the Asian Games after winning a bronze at the world championships and her bronze medal is only the second wrestling medal of the ongoing 19th Asian Games. Antim Pangal was added to the Indian contingent for the Asian Games after star wrestler Vinesh Phogat pulled out due to an injury.

Disappointments in other categories

Pooja Gehlot was outplayed 2-9 in the bronze medal bout by Uzbekistan’s Aktenge Keunimjaeva, the Asian championship bronze winner.

A lot was expected from Mansi Ahlawat in the women’s 57kg category too but she ended up losing her bronze medal ‘by fall’ to Uzbekistan’s Laylokhon Sobirova.

Bajrang Punia, who was widely criticized for accepting a direct entry into the Asian Games, and the highly talented Aman Sehrawat, will be in action in the 65kg, and 56kg weight categories, respectively on Friday.