New Delhi: In a stunning display of resilience and skill, India’s Manisha Bhanwala captured the country’s first women’s freestyle wrestling gold at the Asian Championships since 2021. Her remarkable comeback in the final against Korea’s Ok J Kim marked a pivotal moment for Indian wrestling, as she overcame a daunting deficit to secure an 8-7 victory. Meanwhile, Antim Panghal made a triumphant return to international competition, claiming a bronze medal in the 53kg division after the Paris Olympics.
Manisha Bhanwala’s journey to the top was both impressive and challenging. She initiated her campaign with a commanding technical superiority win over Kazakhstan’s Tynys Dubek, followed by a decisive victory against Korea’s Hanbit Lee. In the semifinals, she triumphed over Kalmira Bilimbek Kyzy with a convincing 5-1 scoreline. Before her historic gold, Manisha had secured three consecutive bronze medals at the Asian Championships, making this victory all the more significant.
Antim Panghal, India’s first U20 world champion, marked her international comeback with a bronze in the 53kg category. Despite facing setbacks, including a loss to Japan’s Moe Kiyooka in the semifinals, she rebounded strongly by defeating Chinese Taipei’s Meng H Hsieh in the bronze medal match.
India’s wrestling contingent has garnered significant attention, securing one gold, one silver, and six bronze medals so far. As the championships proceed, the men’s freestyle competition is set to commence, promising even more thrilling matches.
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