All is not lost. Olympian and two-time world medallist Antim Panghal can bounce back for the Asian Games selection trials.

Antim Panghal was left in tears as she picked herself up from the mat after Meenakshi beat her in the final of the Asian Wrestling Championships trials. A two-time World Championships medallist, Antim has been one of India’s best in recent times and has dominated the 53kg weight class.

However, women’s wrestling in India is strong enough to produce surprises. At the trials for the Asian Championships, Antim received a reality check as she was pinned by Meenakshi in dramatic fashion in the final moments of the bout. Trailing 2–6, Antim looked for an opportunity to attack, but an alert Meenakshi countered brilliantly to pin her to the mat.

Paris Olympic Games

Antim did not have a good run at the Paris Olympics Games but bounced back to win her second World Championships bronze last year. She remains a talent yet to reach her full potential. In a year of the Asian Games, competition at home has intensified, with wrestlers pushing established names.

Sonepat wrestler

Meenakshi, 25, has the experience. She had lost to Antim on three occasions before, but this time came prepared to take the fight to her. “She is a very experienced wrestler. I wanted to give my best till the last second,” said Meenakshi, who trains in Sonepat under former women’s team coach Kuldeep Malik.

Domestic trials

“We have a strong bench, and you have to be at your best to win domestic trials,” said India team coach Virender Dahiya. “Sometimes you learn from losses and come back stronger.”

For Antim, the loss will be an opportunity to prepare harder for the Asian Games trials. She won a bronze medal at the previous edition in Hangzhou. For Meenakshi, it will be a chance to prove herself on the big stage at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, starting April 6.

Indian wrestling team:

Men: Freestyle:

Ankush (57 Kg), Aman (61kg), Sujeet (65kg), Abhimanyou (70kg), Jaideep (74kg), Sandeep Singh Mann (79kg), Mukul Dahiya (86kg), Punit Kumar (92kg), Vicky (97kg), Dinesh (125kg).

Greco Roman Style: Lalit (55kg), Sahil (60kg), Sunny (63kg), Sachin Sehrawat (67kg), Anil (72kg), Aman (77kg), Prince (82kg), Sunil Kumar (87kg), Nitesh (97kg), Joginder Rathi (130kg).

Women: Freestyle:

Neelam (50kg), Meenakshi (53kg), Hanshika (55kg), Manisha (57kg), Neha (59kg), Mansi (62kg), Monika (65kg), Mansi Lather (68kg), Harshita (72kg), Kajal (76kg).

EOM