Zagreb, Croatia – Indian wrestler Antim Panghal secured a bronze medal in the 53kg women’s freestyle category at the World Wrestling Championships 2025, held in Zagreb. Her win ended India’s medal drought at the tournament and made her only the second Indian woman, after Vinesh Phogat, to win multiple World Championship medals.
In the bronze medal match, Antim convincingly defeated two-time European champion Jonna Malmgren of Sweden, 9-1. Interestingly, she had previously beaten the same opponent at the 2023 World Championships in Belgrade, winning 16-6 by technical superiority. As a result, she became one of India’s most consistent women wrestlers on the world stage.
Antim Panghal’s Road to Bronze
Antim started her campaign with a 10-0 technical superiority win against Spain’s Carla Jaume Soler in the pre-quarterfinals. Following this, she edged past Zhang Jin of China 9-8 in the quarter-finals, showing remarkable determination. However, she lost 5-3 to Paris 2024 silver medallist Lucía Yépez of Ecuador in the semifinals.
Despite the loss, Antim bounced back in the bronze medal bout with a commanding performance, ensuring India did not leave Zagreb empty-handed. Additionally, her medal continues India’s streak of winning at least one women’s wrestling medal in the last three World Championships.
Other Indian Wrestlers’ Performances
Meanwhile, other Indian wrestlers faced challenges in Zagreb. Manisha Bhanwala, competing in the 62kg women’s freestyle category, lost 9-0 to Bulgaria’s Bilyana Dudova in the repechage round and missed a chance to fight for bronze.
India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers also struggled:
- Anil Mor (55kg) lost 8-0 to four-time world champion Eldaniz Azizli of Azerbaijan.
- Aman (77kg) fell 8-0 to Olympic champion Nao Kusaka of Japan.
- Rahul (82kg) earned a point but lost 7-1 to Almir Tolebayev of Kazakhstan.
- Sonu (130kg) lost 8-0 to Olympian Marko Koščević of Croatia.
As a result, India did not secure any medals in the men’s freestyle or Greco-Roman categories, despite sending a full-strength team.
Indian Wrestling Squad and Trials
The Indian wrestling team for the World Wrestling Championships 2025 included headliners Antim Panghal and Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat. The squad was selected through competitive trials held in Lucknow for men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman categories, and in New Delhi for women’s freestyle.
Meanwhile, Aman Sehrawat earned his place in the 57kg men’s freestyle category by defeating Rahul in the final. Since his Olympic bronze at Paris 2024, Aman has participated in two international competitions, winning bronze at the Ulaanbaatar Open and gold at the Yasar Dogu tournament, showing excellent form ahead of the World Championships.
Also Read: T20 World Cup Semifinal Match: Schedule, Venues, and Team Squads
A Historic Moment for India
Antim Panghal’s bronze at the World Wrestling Championships 2025 is a major achievement for Indian wrestling. Her 9-1 victory over Malmgren demonstrates her skill, determination, and consistency. Moreover, it ensures India continues its streak of winning at least one medal in women’s wrestling in consecutive World Championships.
In addition, Antim’s success inspires young wrestlers across India, highlighting the potential of women athletes to excel internationally. As a result, her achievement strengthens India’s reputation in global wrestling and encourages further investment in women’s sports.
Looking Ahead
With the World Wrestling Championships 2025 ongoing, India aims to build on Antim’s success in future tournaments. Additionally, the strong performances of wrestlers like Aman Sehrawat show that Indian men’s wrestling is gradually improving, even though the team faced setbacks in Zagreb.Overall, Antim Panghal’s victory reinforces India’s growing presence in women’s freestyle wrestling. Her determination and performance under pressure demonstrate that Indian wrestlers can compete with the best in the world.
