Asiad-bound wrestler Antim Panghal will take trials in non-Olympic 55kg weight category for the World Championships

Promising wrestler Nishu Bhanwala has been selected to represent India in women’s freestyle 53 kg weight class for the Senior World Wrestling Championships to be held from October 24 to November 1 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The U23 World Championships bronze medallist won the selection trials on Monday, beating Thishka 12-2 in the final bout.

With Antim Panghal deciding to give the trials in non-Olympic 55kg weight class, Nishu has been selected, according to a national wrestling coach. The Asian Games-bound wrestlers will be given an opportunity, and therefore a final trial will be held later after the Japan Games. However, Antim has said she will be fighting in the 55 kg weight class, said a Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) official.

To cut weights several times in a short period is an issue and therefore Antim must have decided to go for non-Olympic weight this year. She is a two-time bronze medallist in World Championships in 53kg. Next year, the bigger challenge will be to win a LA Olympics berth. The 2027 Senior World Championships will be held in Las Vegas from September 11 to 19 in the USA. The 2027 Las Vegas event will be a qualification event for the LA Olympic Games.

Nishu had given a scare to Vinesh Phogat in the trials for the Asian Games in May but could not complete a pin in the first period. Vinesh won the thrilling bout though she later lost to Meenakshi Goyat in the semi-finals. Meenakshi did not enter for the trials while Vinesh’s plea to allow her to compete in the trials was rejected by the Delhi High Court.

In 57kg Simran and in 68kg Srishti have also been cleared to compete at the world championships because the Asiad-bound wrestlers will not be competing in these Olympic weight classes, it has been learnt. Neelam (50kg), Tapsya (62kg), and Kajal (76kg), however will have to wait for a final trial with Asian Games-bound wrestlers.

EOM