"The country has placed its faith in me": Antim Panghal eyes medal at Paris 2024 Olympics in 53 kg category wrestling

I want to live up to India's expectations (File)

Antim Panghal, at just 19 years old, is set to showcase her remarkable wrestling talent at Paris 2024, aiming to contend for a medal in the 53 kg category. Her journey began at age 10, inspired by her elder sister's influence as a kabaddi player, which led her to pursue wrestling. Panghal recently featured on JioCinema's 'The Dreamers,' where she shared insights into her path, including becoming the first Indian woman to clinch gold at the World Junior Championships.

Reflecting on her early career, Panghal revealed, "Before stepping onto the mat, I feel jitters, but once I am on the mat, the fear and nerves take a back seat. The spirit is all about fighting and winning."

The turning point in Panghal's career came during the 2022 Commonwealth Games trials, where a tough loss to Vinesh Phogat spurred her to redouble her efforts. "The loss at the trial for the 2022 Commonwealth Games was tough; it motivated me to work harder," she recalled. This determination fueled her to secure gold at the Junior World Championships, a historic first for an Indian woman, followed by a silver at the 2023 Asian Championships, marking significant milestones in her career trajectory.

Panghal emphasized the importance of resilience and learning from setbacks, stating, "If I lose a match, I don't dwell on it. I motivate myself to do better and move on. I believe that the Almighty has a better plan for me, and there are lessons to be learned from my losses." Reflecting on her experiences at the World Championships, she highlighted the critical lessons in focus and attentiveness gained from challenging moments.

Looking ahead to Paris 2024, Panghal aims to follow in the footsteps of Sakshi Malik, India's sole female Olympic wrestling medalist. "The country has placed its faith in me, and I want to live up to their expectations. Once I set my mind on something, I ensure it gets done," she affirmed.

Panghal's recent achievements include defending her Junior World Championships title in 2023 and securing bronze at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, alongside a bronze at the 2022 Asian Games and a silver at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships, solidifying her status as a rising star in Indian wrestling.