From Bronze to Silver: Panhwal's Rise at 2026 Asian Games

Antim Panhwal, the 21‑year‑old wrestler from Haryana, advanced to the women's 53kg final at the 2026 Asian Games, ultimately earning a silver medal.

Her path began with a decisive 9‑0 win over Kazakhstan's Shugila Omarbek, followed by an 8‑0 victory against Uzbekistan's Sakibjamal Esbosinova in the quarter‑finals.

In the semi‑finals, she defeated China's Jin Zhang 6‑1 after a brief early setback, securing her place in the gold medal match.

The final against Japan's Mo Kiyoka resulted in a loss, but Panhwal's performance marked a significant improvement from the bronze she captured at the previous Games.

She expressed gratitude to the Indian Wrestling Federation, Inspire Institute of Sport and coach Parth Jindal for their steadfast support throughout her journey.

Panhwal affirmed her commitment to continued hard work, stating that the silver medal will inspire her to aim for gold in future championships.