Rising Star Antim Panghal's Olympic Dream Shattered in Paris

Young Indian Wrestler Dominated in First Bout, Overwhelmed by Turkish Rival

Antim Panghal, the prodigious talent of the Indian Women's Wrestling Team and the first Indian woman to win the U20 world title in the 53 kg category, faced a heartbreaking defeat at the Paris Olympics 2024. This 19-year-old wrestling sensation, who hails from Bhagana village in Haryana, qualified for the Olympics with a bronze medal at the World Championship last year, marking a significant milestone in her young career.

Antim, whose name intriguingly means 'last,' was born after three sisters. Her parents, not wishing for more daughters, named her accordingly. Despite initial reluctance from her father, Ram Niwas Panghal, Antim began her wrestling journey at the age of 10, inspired and supported by her sister Sarita and coach Roshni Devi.

From showcasing her prowess at national and Asian championships to excelling on the junior international stage, Antim's relentless dedication has been evident. Her ultimate aim has always been to bring an Olympic medal to India.

However, her Olympic debut turned out to be a day of disappointment. The highly anticipated match at the Champs de Mars wrestling arena saw Antim, seeded fourth, facing Turkish grappler Zeynep Yetgil, a two-time European Championships bronze winner. Despite her technical soundness and being considered a serious medal contender, Antim was swiftly overpowered.

The match lasted only 90 seconds, with Yetgil securing a 10-0 victory on technical superiority. Antim's cautious start was met with Yetgil's aggressive takedowns and rapid scoring, leaving Antim with no opportunity to retaliate. The bout's abrupt end mirrored a clash between an experienced pro and a novice, leaving Antim devastated.

The Indian delegation faced a challenging day, compounded by the earlier disqualification of fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat, which seemingly affected Antim's performance. After the bout, Antim was visibly emotional, shedding tears as she hurried to the team bus, marking a somber end to her Olympic campaign.

Despite this setback, Antim's journey is far from over. Her resilience and past achievements hint at a promising future, and the nation stands behind her, confident that she will rise again to achieve her Olympic dreams.

Reference:

www.msn.com