Antim Panghal: Rising Star of Indian Wrestling in Olympic 2024

Antim Panghal: Rising Star of Indian Wrestling in Olympic 2024

Antim Panghal is a two-time junior world wrestling champion and has won bronze medals at both the Asian Games and the senior world championships. She was born on August 31, 2004, in Bhagana village in Haryana’s Hisar district. She is the second-youngest of five children, with parents Ram Niwas Panghal and Krishna Kumari. She is a rising star in Indian wrestling and has achieved remarkable success in her career. Antim, meaning 'last' or 'final' in English, is the last girl in her family. She has three older sisters, Sarita, Meenu, and Nisha, and a younger brother, Arpit, who was born two years after her. Sarita, a national-level kabaddi player, played a big role in introducing Antim to wrestling.

Antim's achievements are groundbreaking, as she is the first Indian woman to clinch a gold medal at the U-20 Wrestling World Championships. Her rapid ascent in the sport is especially remarkable given that she competes in the 53kg women’s freestyle category, the same division as Olympian Vinesh Phogat. In 2018, Antim secured the 49kg U-15 national championship title in Patna and earned a bronze medal at the U-15 Asian Wrestling Championships in Japan. Her success continued with multiple cadet U-17 national titles in subsequent years.

Let's know about her Journey:

When Antim was just 10 years old, Sarita took her to the Mahavir Stadium in Hisar city for wrestling training. Antim showed immense talent in wrestling from a young age, but her father, Ram Niwas, initially had doubts. However, Antim's coach, Roshni Devi, continued encouraging her, eventually convincing Ram Niwas to support her fully. In 2018, at the age of 15. She secured a bronze medal at the under-15 Asian Wrestling Championships, showcasing her potential on an international stage.

As she continued to grow and train rigorously, Antim's achievements soared. She dominated in the under-17 cadet category, consistently winning national titles. By 2020, at just 17 years old, Antim made history by winning a gold medal at the junior Asian Championships and a silver medal at the under-23 Asian Championships. Her victories were particularly impressive as she triumphed over competitors who were older and more experienced.

Antim's journey from initial skepticism to becoming a national and international wrestling sensation highlights her dedication, talent, and the unwavering support of her coach and father. Her story inspires young athletes and demonstrates the power of perseverance in achieving extraordinary success.

Antim Panghal's family, initially commuting 20km daily to her wrestling practice, eventually moved closer and then to the city for her training. Her father, Ram Niwas, even built a house with a cattle shed to ensure fresh milk for her diet. This sacrifice paid off as Antim quickly rose in wrestling.

Her key achievements and records:

• Under-20 World Wrestling Championships: Gold medalist in 2022 and 2023, making her the first Indian woman to achieve this feat.
• World Wrestling Championships: Bronze medalist in 2023, securing a quota spot for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
• Asian Championships: Silver medalist in 2023.
• Asian Games: Bronze medalist in 2023.
• Became Patna's 49kg U-15 national champion in 2018.

• Won a bronze medal at the U-15 Asian Wrestling Championships in Japan in 2018.
• Continued success with several cadet U-17 national titles.
• Gold medal at the junior Asian Championships and silver at the U-23 Asian Championships in 2020.
• Antim Phangal has received recognition and awards from the government for her outstanding achievements in wrestling.

Other Achievements:

• Arjuna Award: The Arjuna Award is India's prestigious sports honor bestowed upon athletes for their outstanding achievements. Antim Phangal received this award in recognition of her excellence in wrestling.
• Khel Ratna Award: The Khel Ratna Award is India's highest sporting honor, awarded for spectacular and most outstanding performance in sports for four years. While it's typically given to senior athletes, Antim Phangal's exceptional achievements might make her eligible in the future.
• National Awards: She has been honored with various national awards and recognition ceremonies, acknowledging her contributions to wrestling and sports in India.
• These awards highlight Antim Phangal's prowess in wrestling and her significant contributions to the sporting community in India.

Antim's dedication, talent, and hard work have made her a formidable athlete, and her selection for the 2024 Olympics underscores her potential to achieve even greater heights in the world of wrestling. 

Let’s know about Khellozz 2.0, and how it’s a smaller version of the Olympics.

Khellozz 2.0 aims to unite people and highlight young talents, in search of the next Olympians from every school in Patna and nearby districts, Bihar. Sports are crucial for our development and fitness, but due to COVID lockdowns, outdoor activities, especially for children, took a backseat. However, there's exciting news for sports lovers in Patna and nearby districts! "Khellozz," an inter-school sports competition in Olympic style, will take place in October-November for which registration will be starting soon, featuring over 50 schools competing in more than 15 sports like Football, Basketball, table tennis, Lawn-tennis, Volleyball, Kabbadi, and many more. It's not just about winning; it's about learning teamwork, consistency, and patience.

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