As the Paris Olympics 2024 approach, Indian wrestler Antim Panghal expressed her excitement and thoughts on competing in her first Olympics, starting on July 26.
Panghal secured a bronze medal in the women’s 53kg category at the World Wrestling Championships 2023 in Belgrade, Serbia, by defeating Sweden’s two-time European champion, Emma Jonna Denise Malmgren. This victory earned her a quota for the Paris Olympics 2024.
Speaking to ANI, Panghal said, “We are getting more training on the mat now. We used to train before, but the Olympics is a significant event. I qualified for it for the first time.”
The 19-year-old also discussed her injury before the Budapest Championship, where she won a silver medal. “I was a bit tired because of an injury. But after that, I trained properly and focused on everything, including mat work, basketball training, and ground training. My coach supported me through it all. When I competed in the ranking series, I won a silver medal, which made me believe I could win a silver at the Olympics too,” she added.
Panghal acknowledged the tough competition she will face at the Olympics, particularly from wrestlers from Japan and China. “All competitors will be good because it’s a big competition. No one qualifies for it without being good. But in my opinion, the competitors from Japan and China will be particularly tough,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to Asics for their support. “Asics has supported me a lot. Their fitting is excellent, and the technology they use boosts my confidence. I feel very comfortable in their shoes,” Panghal concluded.
Antim Panghal made history as the first Indian woman to win gold at the Junior World Wrestling Championships in 2022 and successfully defended her title in 2023. She also won a bronze medal at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, a bronze at the 2022 Asian Games, and a silver at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships.