Young wrestler Antim Panghal, who challenged stalwart Vinesh Phogat in the Asian Games trials, is determined to prove a point in the continental showpiece and the subsequent World Championships.
Antim Panghal once again confirmed her emergence as one of the top wrestlers in the country by winning the World Championships trials in Patiala on Friday.
Antim Panghal returns to India after Olympic controversy
Antim Panghal on Friday created history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win back-to-back U20 world titles
Panghal defended her 53kg crown at the U20 World Championships in Amman, Jordan.
Asian Championships silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat aims to become the world champion this year after defeating Vinesh Phogat at the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) women's trials for the Asian Games squad.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has reversed its decision and allowed Vinesh Phogat to compete in the 53kg category at the Asian Games selection trials.
Manisha Bhanwala went out of the bronze medal race after losing her repechage round 0-9 to Bulgaria's Bilyana Dudova.
India's young women wresters expectedly struggled at the big stage as three of them were eliminated in Zagreb, Croatia Tuesday, but Priya Malik (76kg) stayed in medal contention
Wrestlers Antim, Aman seeded at Paris Olympics
Repechage gives losing wrestlers from the pre-quarterfinal round onwards a shot at the bronze medal if the winning grappler makes it to the title round.
Young Indian wrestler Antim Panghal's superb campaign at the World Championships culminated with a bronze medal, a performance that also earned the country a 53kg quota for the Paris Olympics.
Wrestlers busy getting daily passes for personal coaches after arrival at Games Village
Unprecedented success followed India at the junior wrestling World Championships on Thursday with three grapplers, including fast-rising Antim Panghal, storming into the gold medal bouts while Harshita will fight for bronze.
As per the Ministry sources, a special request was made by the BCCI to the sports ministry to include Shami's name as he didn't originally feature in the list of the country's second-highest sporting honour.
Vinesh clears way for Antim Panghal's inclusion
Bajwa, when asked whether Indian grapplers will compete under the United World Wrestling (UWW) flag at the Paris Olympics since the Wrestling Federation of India has been banned by the international body, told PTI that, since the Olympics and Asian Games are multi-discipline events, "they will compete as part of the Indian contingent".
The Wrestling Federation of India on Tuesday decided to exempt all six Olympic quota winners from selection trials.
Indian wrestlers have not missed a medal since the 2008 Beijing Games and the onus is now on Vinesh Phogat & Co to continue the trend.
Check out how India's athletes fared on Day 12, Tuesday, August 7, 2024:
Women's national coach Virender Dahiya and Manjeet Rani met the feisty wrestler, who had caused a flutter at the wrestling arena by beating world number one and defending champion Yui Susaki
Celebrated Indian grappler Yogeshwar Dutt neither praised nor criticised the new selection policy of the IOA-constituted ad-hoc panel for wrestling, which states that Olympic quota winners will have to compete against a challenger to book a ticket to the Paris Games.
Around 150 people, including family members of the wrestlers, are seeking a meeting with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P T Usha and ad-hoc panel chief Bhupender Singh Bajwa.
Antim Panghal along with several other wrestlers were out on the streets to protest against IOA ad-hoc panel's "unfair" decision to exempt Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat from the Asian Games trials.
The ad-hoc committee decided to allow Vinesh to compete in two categories: Bhupender Singh Bajwa
Athletes lauded for their performances on National Sports Day
Shami was there to receive the honours. He took 24 wickets in seven World Cup games last year.
UWW boss Nenad Lalovic also said the world body will require a "robust plan" from the stake-holders guaranteeing a "safe environment" where grapplers can report abuse and harassment, and a clear hearing process is in place.
Bajrang Punia banned, Phogat turns politician, WFI suspension, litigations, and lost medals: How Indian wrestling stagnated in 2024
Trying to give the best support to Indian contingent but still being criticised: IOA chief PT Usha
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
Asian Games trials exemption to Phogat, Punia: HC to pronounce order on Saturday
Last month, the ad hoc committee handed Vinesh and Bajrang exemptions from the Asian Games trials.
The WFI had also applied for visas for nine of its coaches but only six received visas.
'Vinesh wants an assurance from the government. Probably she fears that if WFI gets back the control, the federation may change the selection policy. But how can the government give assurance on this. The government can't interfere in selection matters.'
Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal move Delhi High Court, challenge trial exemption given to Bajrang, Vinesh
Reigning Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal on Wednesday questioned the Asian Games trials exemption given to Vinesh Phogat.
Wrestler Aman Sehrawat added to India's medal tally at the Olympics, winning the bronze in the men's 57kg Freestyle in Paris on Friday. He defeated Puerto Rico's Darian Cruz 13-5.
Really pained by events in Indian wrestling but hopeful of two medals: Yogeshwar Dutt
India will go unrepresented in five categories at the upcoming Zagreb Open in Croatia as Bajrang Punia, Antim Panghal and three others didn't give consent for their selection to the ad-hoc panel that announced a 13-member team on Tuesday.
