How Did Antim Clinch Bronze at the 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championship?
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Synopsis
Antim Panghal has made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to win multiple medals at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. Her outstanding performance in Zagreb has solidified her place among the best. Discover more about her journey and the challenges faced by fellow Indian wrestlers at this prestigious event.
Key Takeaways
- Antim Panghal becomes the first Indian woman wrestler to secure multiple medals.
- She won bronze in the 53 kg category at the 2025 Championship.
- Indian women wrestlers have consistently medaled in recent championships.
- Antim's journey showcases her resilience and skill.
- Challenges remain for Indian wrestlers in other categories.
New Delhi, Sep 18 (NationPress) Antim Panghal made history on Thursday by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler since Vinesh Poghat to achieve multiple medals in the Senior World Wrestling Championships. Competing in the 53 kg weight category, she clinched the bronze medal at the 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championship held in Zagreb. Antim triumphed over her Swedish competitor with an impressive score of 9–1 in the Bronze Medal match.
Previously, Antim had also secured a bronze medal in the 2023 championships in Belgrade, where she had decisively defeated the same rival 16-6 through technical superiority.
Indian women’s wrestlers have now consistently brought home at least one medal from the last three editions of the World Wrestling Championships.
Antim kicked off her campaign with a stunning 10-0 victory by technical superiority against Spain’s Carla Jaume Soler in the pre-quarterfinals.
She then narrowly beat Zhang Jin from the People's Republic of China 9-8 in a thrilling quarter-final, but fell short in the semifinals, losing 5-3 to Lucía Yépez, the silver medallist from Paris 2024.
In another event, Asian champion Manisha Bhanwala missed the opportunity to compete for a bronze medal in the 62kg women’s freestyle, after suffering a 9-0 defeat to Bilyana Dudova from Bulgaria in her repechage round.
On the Greco-Roman front, India’s wrestlers faced challenges, with none of the four competing grapplers winning their matches on Thursday.
In the pre-quarterfinals, Anil Mor, in the 55kg weight class, lost 8-0 to four-time world champion and current world No. 1 Eldaniz Azizli of Azerbaijan.
The 77kg category saw Aman lose 8-0 via technical superiority to Olympic champion Nao Kusaka of Japan in the round of 32.
In the 82kg category, Rahul managed to score a point but ultimately fell to Almir Tolebayev of Kazakhstan with a score of 7-1. Sonu also faced defeat in the 130kg category, going down 8-0 against Olympian Marko Koščević of Croatia during qualification. A total of 30 gold medals are up for grabs across men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman events.
India entered the competition with a full-strength squad, fielding one entry in each weight category; however, none of the men’s freestyle wrestlers managed to secure a medal.
Point of View
I commend the resilience and skill exhibited by Antim Panghal, who continues to pave the way for future generations of Indian wrestlers. Her achievements not only inspire young athletes but also reflect the growing strength of women's wrestling in India. However, it's crucial to address the challenges faced by our Greco-Roman wrestlers, who struggled in this championship. We must support their development to ensure a more balanced performance in future competitions.
NationPress
22/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What medals has Antim Panghal won?
Antim Panghal has won bronze medals in both the 2023 and 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championships.
In which weight category did Antim compete?
Antim Panghal competed in the 53 kg weight category.
Where was the 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championship held?
The championship took place in Zagreb, Croatia.
How did Antim perform in her matches?
Antim secured a victory in her pre-quarterfinal and quarter-final matches before losing in the semifinals.
What is the significance of Antim's achievements?
Antim is the first Indian woman wrestler to win multiple medals at the Senior World Wrestling Championships, highlighting her exceptional talent and dedication.
