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Meenakshi Goyat defeated Antim Panghal to secure her spot in the Indian women’s team for the Asian Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Meenakshi Goyat with her father after defeating Antim Panghal in the women’s 53kg final at the Asian Wrestling Championships selection trials (PTI)
Overcoming self-doubt, Meenakshi Goyat stunned Antim Panghal to secure her place in the Indian women’s team for next month’s Asian Championships, delivering a rare defeat to the two-time World Championship medallist on home soil.
Having previously lost to Antim three times in trials, Meenakshi showcased solid defence, achieving an impressive ‘win by fall’ after leading 6-2 against the Asian Games bronze medallist, who has dominated the 53kg weight category since the departure of the iconic Vinesh Phogat.
Meenakshi often had Antim in a headlock, preventing her from playing her usual aggressive and attacking game. Antim initiated a double-leg attack, but Meenakshi thwarted her and even created a position to push for a ‘pin’. Meenakshi executed a takedown to score first, while Antim retaliated with a point. The 21-year-old Antim attempted single-leg attacks, but Meenakshi’s defence remained strong. With a push-out point, Antim levelled the score at 2-2.
In the second period, Meenakshi performed consecutive takedown moves to extend her lead to 6-2. With nine seconds remaining, Meenakshi managed to pin Antim on the mat, securing the victory.
In disbelief, Antim remained on the mat, while Meenakshi, unable to stop smiling, offered a hand to her rival.
The 25-year-old Meenakshi, a two-time national champion, trains in Sonepat under former national coach Kuldeep Malik. She has competed in the 50kg category but is now settled in the 53kg class.
Meenakshi’s Reaction
“It’s really fun winning the trials. I am enjoying the moment,” Meenakshi said, acknowledging her achievement. “I could play my game today. I would lose to big names in the past despite well-prepared but this time I didn’t let it slip. I always had these doubts in mind about my own capabilities but I have overcome that mental block. She (Antim) also made mistakes and I cashed in on,” said Meenakshi, the daughter of a farmer from Jind.
The cheerful wrestler explained how she spent the night before with positive affirmations. “I did not want to waste this chase. Till mid-night I was imagining that I have won and won by technical superiority. I was telling myself that I have already won and I am going to Asian Championships,” said Meenakshi, who has trained under various coaches in her career.
“My family also supported and kept telling me that I have nothing to lose and all to gain. I have practised my moves so may times that by muscle memory my defence stayed strong, I did not gave her my leg. Every time she attacked my leg went back, away from her reach,” she explained.
Kuldeep’s son Ajay, who also trains Meenakshi, said, “We were confident from the beginning. We had been planning for long.”
Before her stunning defeat, Antim had won both her bouts by technical superiority, against Riya and Juli, without conceding a single point and in quick time. Meenakshi had similarly won both her bouts by technical superiority, against Gouri and Anjli, without losing a point.
The Asian Championships are scheduled to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from April 6 to 11.
Other Results
In another impressive display, Neelam secured her spot in the Indian team in the 50kg weight class. Her suplex throw against Shivani during her 7-3 win was the ‘move of the day’. Neelam gripped Shivani’s waist, arched backward, and landed her on her back. Neelam outclassed Priyanshi in the final, winning by technical superiority.
In other categories, there were no surprises as Sir Chhotu Ram Akhada’s Mansi Ahlawat (62kg) and Manisha Bhanwala (57kg) emerged as winners after defeating their rivals from the same centre in Rohtak, run by Mandeep Singh.
With the formidable Manisha Bhanwala now competing in the 57kg class, not many wrestlers entered this weight class, which featured only three competitors.
Other winners included Hanshika (55kg), Neha Sangwan (59kg), Monika (65kg), Mansi Lather (68kg), Harshita (72kg), and Kajal (76kg).
Men’s squad:
Ankush (57kg), Aman Sehrawat (61kg), Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Abhimanyou (70kg) Jaideep (74kg), Sandeep Mann (79kg), Mukul Dahiya (86kg), Puneet Kumar (92kg), Vicky (97kg), and Dinesh (125kg).
(With inputs from Agencies)
March 17, 2026, 7:07 PM IST
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