NEW DELHI: Fresh from creating history at the U-20 World Wrestling Championships in Amman, Jordan, teenage wrestler Antim Panghal has set her sights on winning a medal at the upcoming World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia and then the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. In Jordan, Antim became the first Indian female wrestler to win back-to-back U-20 titles.
"My focus now is to prepare for the World championships trials. If I cross that hurdle, then I can try and win a medal for the country at the main event in Belgrade. Then comes the Asian Games. I got a lucky break after Vineshdi pulled out due to injury. I will try to make full use of the opportunity by getting a medal at an event of such magnitude," Antim told TOI on the sidelines of a felicitation ceremony organised for the U-20 Worlds medal winners at the JLN Stadium here on Sunday.
Antim, who competes in the same 53kg category as Vinesh, recently raised her voice after the senior wrestler was directly given the Asian Games ticket by the adhoc committee looking after the day-to-day affairs of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Antim even went with her family to the office of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and protested against the decision. She also filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against Vinesh getting a direct entry in the Asian Games.
She returned disappointed from the court, but luck favoured her as Vinesh withdrew her name from the Asiad due to a knee injury. Antim, being the standby after having won the Asiad trials earlier, was given a chance to represent the country. "Let bygones be bygones. I don't want to move ahead with any kind of negativity in my mind. I am just happy that I will get the chance to compete at the Asian Games," Antim said.
On her successive gold medal at the U-20 world championships, Antim said, "I am truly elated to have secured the first position once again. But my joy was amplified when we secured the top spot in terms of total number of medals at the championship for the country. The entire contingent was very proud that our efforts had give n us desired results." Chief coach Maha Singh Rao, a Dronacharya awardee, exuded confidence that his wards will keep performing even at the senior level. "I am sure these kids will clinch many medals at the 2024 and 2028 Olympics," he said.
