Credit: Twitter
India's emerging wrestling star Antim Panghal clinched bronze in the 53kg event at the 19th season of the Asian Games 2023 on October 5, Thursday. Panghal beat her Mongolian counterpart, the Olympic and world medalist Bat-Ochir Bolortuya 3-1 to finish third on the podium. Panghal had lost her quarterfinal match to world champion Akari Fujinami of Japan in the women's 53kg category, and hence, entered the bronze-medal match.
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With her medal, Panghal extended India's overall medal tally to 86 in the ongoing season of the continental spectacle.
Panghal's medal came as a boost on a tough day for the Indian wrestlers in the tournament. Wrestlers, including the likes of Narinder Cheema (Greco-Roman 97kg), Naveen (Greco-Roman 130kg) and Pooja Gehlot women's 50kg failed to secure medals for India.
Antim entered into the tournament on the back of a bronze medal at the World Championships 2023. It is to be noted that her bronze medal is the only second wrestling medal of the ongoing season of the event.
Despite an eye injury, Pooja fought brilliantly but ended up losing to Aktenge Keunimjaeva 2-9 in bronze medal bout. Mansi Ahlawat, on the other hand, went down to Uzbekistan's Laylokhon Sovirova in the 57kg category.
