Antim loses Worlds semi-finals in dying seconds; to fight for bronze

Antim Panghal seemed unable to make sense of what had just happened. With hands on her head and gasping for breath after the intense bout against Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Vanesa Kaladzinskaya, the 19-year-old couldn't believe that she had lost the semi-final (5-4) of world championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

- Avishek Roy

A contest that seemed well within her grasp after she had fought back from 0-3 down in the last minute, and taken a 4-3 lead just a few seconds before the hooter was about to sound.

The young Indian seemed to relax for just a few seconds after she had taken the back of Kaladzinskaya. She thought it was over. However, the Belarusian, who was competing as a neutral athlete, counter-attacked in that tiny window and got two points from the frenetic last-gasp move that saw Antim's shoulder heartbreakingly touch the mat.

A place in the final might have slipped out of Antim's hands but she will have the opportunity to fight for bronze and an Olympics quota on Thursday. Five wrestlers from each weight category qualify for the Paris Olympics from the world championships.

Competing in the 53kg weight category that normally features two-time World medallist Vinesh Phogat, Antim showed that she belonged on the big stage.