Antim Panghal roars into 53kg title clash, Anshu Malik to battle for bronze

Antim Panghal (Pic: @OlyAntim/Twitter)

Young Indian wrestler Antim Panghal sailed into the 53kg title clash, scoring dominant wins over her rivals, whereas Anshu Malik will fight for bronze after struggling to breach the defence of Japan's Sae Nanjo, on Wednesday. The 18-year-old Panghal, who last year became the first Indian woman wrestler to become U-20 world champion, kept her nerves of steel by not conceding a single point on the moves of her rivals.

Panghal got on board with a take-down move that she initiated with a left-leg attack. The Uzbeki had the Indian in head lock position a couple of times but on both occasions, not only Panghal wriggle out with consummate ease, she also employed counter attacks at a striking pace to keep forging her lead. Panghal had begun her campaign with a dominating 'win by fall' against Singaporean Hsiao Ping Alvina Lim and followed up with a 6-0 victory in the quarterfinal against China's Li Deng. She is all set to fight for gold against the 2021 world champion Akari Fujinami and someone who has hardly lost a bout since she started competing at the senior level in 2020.

Meanwhile, much was expected from talented Anshu Malik in the 57kg competition but the 2021 world championship silver medallist struggled to score against Nanjo, who is the reigning U-23 world champion. It was Nanjo who began on aggressive note, getting hold of Malik's left leg but the Indian managed to escape. Malik was put on clock for her passivity and conceded a point for not being able to score within a 30-second period. The action-less first period ended with the Japanese leading 1-0.

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In the second session, Nanjo got hold of Malik's left leg and turned it powerfully, leaving the latter grimacing in pain and tapping the mat, pleading the Japanese to unlock the leg. The injury had crippled Malik's move and Japanese emerged a 5-1 winner. Malik, if fit, will now fight for bronze against Mongolia's Erdenesuvd Bat Erdene.

Meanwhile Manisha (65kg), Reetika (72kg) and Sonam Malik (62kg) will fight for bronze medals.

Sonam was pinned by Mongolia's Orkhon Purevdorj in her quarterfinal bout but since her rival made the final, the Indian bounced back in the competition.

India have so far won six medals from the competition with Greco Roman wrestlers grabbing four of them. Nisha Dahiya (68kg) had won a silver and Priya (76kg) clinched a bronze on Tuesday.

(With PTI inputs)