Rising Indian wrestler Antim Panghal has been named the ‘Rising Star of the Year’ in the United World Wrestling (UWW) Awards 2023. All of 19, the youngster had displayed sensational form this year, having won bronze medals at the Asian Games and the World Championships, where the other Indians failed miserably.
There, in the very first round, she beat American defending champ Dominique Parrish. But later on in the semis, she lost to Vanesa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus. She secured her bronze after a comfortable win over Sweden’s Jonna Malmgren, a two-time European champion. With this medal, she also booked a place in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Antim Panghal vs Vinesh Phogat
The rise of Antim in the 53kg category has shifted the focus from two-time Olympian Vinesh. While the former won the trials for the Asian Games, Vinesh was eventually given the spot. The latter was given an exemption by the WFI. That matter took a turn for the worse, as Antim took the legal route, with nothing positive coming out for her from there. Eventually, with a slice of luck, Antim boarded the flight to China, after Vinesh opted out due to injury.
Antim Panghal Medal Record
Gold – U20 World Wrestling Championships (2022, 2023)
Silver – Asian Championships (2023)
Bronze – Asian Games (2022)
World Championships (2023)
