India's next Gold Medal: Antim Panghal gunning for Glory in Paris

year 2024 will witness anor glorious chapter of greatest showpiece event in world of sports. Paris Olympics 2024 would be a congregation of champions where historic scenes will become eternal. This will be a festival where every nation will present its contention for top spot celebration, and from India, many prominent Iron men and women would he to Pantruche to propel among palins. 

As games are approaching, republicworld.com has taken onus to spre word about India's potential podium finishers. To start of series, first focal point is promising young wrestler, Antim Panghal.

Who is Antim Panghal?

Born on August 31, 2004, Antim Panghal is a wrestler, who hails from Bhagana village of Hisar, Haryana. She is second youngest in her family and has four siblings (3 elder sisters and a younger bror). Antim picked up an interest in Wrestling at tender age of 18. Her sister Sarita proved to be catalyst in creating destiny, as she was one who took her to watch a wrestling programme at Mahavir Stium in Hisar. While Antim's far Ram Niwas was initially sceptical of her daughter's chosen path, eventually he came around and n he and wife Krishna Kumari (Antim's mor) me all sacrifices to push Antim to professional stage.

Antim Panghal's wrestling career

With blessing of parents and unconditional support from siblings, Antim Panghal found success quite early in her career. She became U-15 national champion of 49kg category in Patna in 2008. Following that in same year, she me her name at international level as well; she brought home a bronze medal in U-15 Asian Wrestling Championship in Japan. It was only first step in long illustrious journey. In 2020, she became Junior Asian Champion and afterwards won a silver in U-23 championships. 

In 2022, she entered realm of 53 kg category, which was domestically ruled by none or than Vinesh Phogat. Antim fought Phogat with all her might in 2022 and almost denied her place at 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. loss against Phogat did not down Panghal's spirits as she quickly bounced back to win 53kg division at 2022 Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series. This was her first Gold at senior level.

A few months later, she went on to script history by becoming first Indian to capture Gold Medal at U-20 World Wrestling Championships 2022. A year later she defended her title and better her accole as only two-time junior champion from India.

She won a Bronze medal in her maiden stint at World Championship in Belgre and courtesy of this finish she secured a berth at Paris 2024 Olympics.

In Asian Games 2023, She was unsure of a spot as federation granted Vinesh Phogat a direct entry from 53 kg catalogue. However, a last-minute injury to Vinesh brought Antim Panghal into picture. She did not disappoint and won a Bronze medal in continental tournament.   

Antim Panghal’s medals and achievements

• Under-20 World Wrestling Championships - Gold (2022, 2023)
• World Championships - Bronze (2023)
• Asian Championships - Bronze (2023)
• Asian Games - Bronze (2023)
• First Indian woman to become U-20 world champion in wrestling
• UWW Rising Star of Year 2023

Through her consistent performance on international stage, Antim Panghal obtained women’s Rising Star of Year 2023 tag from United World Wrestling (UWW). With all that she has achieved, she has emerged as one of India's premier medal hopes and could go all way to become reason why Tricolor would soar to highest in August 2024.