Antim Panghal created history as she became the first Indian female wrestler ever to clinch gold at the Under 20 Wrestling World Championships. She topped the podium at the 53kg category on Friday in the World Championships being held in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Antim has, in the past, won bronze at the Cadet World Championships (2021) and gold at the Asian Junior Championships (2022). She had also won silver at the U23 Asian Championships this year.

The most impressive aspect of Antim’s run to the title was a win by fall in the quarterfinal against Japan’s Ayaka Kimura.

1/8 Final: GER - Amory Olivia ANDRICH 0-11 IND - Antim Panghal (By Tech Superiority)

1/4 Final: JPN - Ayaka KIMURA 0-4 IND - Antim Panghal (By Fall)

1/2 Final: UKR - Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA 2-11 IND - Antim Panghal

FINAL: IND - Antim Panghal 8-0 KAZ - Altyn SHAGAYEVA

The only other Indians to win gold at the U20 World Championships are Deepak Punia (Freestyle 86.0, 2019) Ramesh Kumar (Freestyle 69, 2001) Palwinder Singh Cheema (Freestyle 130, 2001) Pappu Yadav (Greco-Roman 50, 1992).

Watch each of Antim’s bouts in Sofia here:

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Priya Malik was another name that impressed in the tournament on her way to the silver. The two-time Cadet World Champion put up a mighty fight in the final against her Japanese opponent and finished with silver. Other silver medallists were Sonam Malik and Priyanka.