Antim makes the cut for worlds, eyes second medal

Many young talents make their mark at the women's trials as India look to build the squad for LA Games

- Avishek Roy

Antim Panghal cruised through the selection trials to confirm her spot at the Wrestling World Championships, scheduled to take place in Zagreb, Croatia from September 13 to 21.

The gap between Antim and her rivals in the 53kg category was evident at the IG Stadium here on Sunday. She dominated the competition, defeating Pooja 6-0 and then overpowering Hinaben Khalifa of Gujarat 11-0 in the final.

At just 21, Antim has already made her mark on the global stage, winning a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships. While she has no real domestic challenger at the moment, her true test lies in asserting herself consistently at the international level. With her recent performances, Antim is widely regarded as India's top woman wrestler and seen as the natural successor to Vinesh Phogat - one of the most prominent figures in Indian wrestling.

A two-time world junior champion, Antim has made a seamless transition to the senior circuit. Her medal-winning performances at the 2023 Asian Games and World Championships, besides qualifying for the Paris Olympics, underline her rising stature in the sport.