Indian wrestler Antim Panghal has etched her name in the annals of Indian sports history by winning her second World Championship medal, a bronze in the women’s 53kg category, at the 2025 Wrestling World Championships.
She defeated Sweden’s Jonna Emma Malmgren 9–1 in a dominant performance.
With this win, Antim becomes only the second Indian woman after Vinesh Phogat to secure multiple medals at the World Championships. Her first came in 2023, also against Malmgren, making this victory a powerful comeback after her disappointing Olympic debut in Paris, where she exited in the opening round.
Antim’s journey has been marked by resilience. Following her Olympic setback and personal controversies, she withdrew from the spotlight, battling injuries and emotional turmoil. “I was hiding from the media. I didn’t even want to leave my house,” she recalled. But with support from her family, coach Siyanand Dahiya, and training partners, she returned stronger.
Her coach emphasized the technical improvements in her game, especially her defense against ankle attacks. Antim’s bronze in Zagreb follows her gold at the UWW Ranking Series in Budapest and a bronze at the Asian Championships in Amman, signaling a steady rise.
Now 21, Antim is focused on refining her skills and eliminating costly errors. “I fight thinking I don’t want to lose to anyone,” she said. With her sights set on gold next year, Antim’s story is one of grit, growth, and redemption.
