India’s young wrestling star Antim Panghal delivered yet another historic performance, winning the bronze medal in the women’s 53kg category at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb.
The 21-year-old from Hisar defeated Sweden’s Jonna Malmgren, a two-time European champion and reigning U23 World Champion, in commanding fashion with a 9-1 victory by points (VPO). This triumph makes Antim only the second Indian woman wrestler, after Vinesh Phogat, to secure multiple medals at the senior World Championships. With this bronze, she has firmly established her place among India’s most consistent wrestlers on the global stage.
In a rematch of the 2023 World Championships bronze medal match, Antim once again faced Malmgren. Two years ago, she had stunned the Swede with her sharp counter-attacks and fearless approach. On Thursday night in Zagreb, she proved that victory was no fluke. From the first whistle, Antim displayed her trademark aggressive style, combining relentless energy with smart technical execution. She scored early on a quick takedown, followed it up with successive moves, and built a 5-0 lead by the break. Malmgren, usually known for her stamina and ability to wear down opponents, looked out of answers against Antim’s fast-paced wrestling.
The second half saw Antim maintain her control, countering Malmgren’s desperate attacks and adding to her score. By the end of the bout, the scoreboard read 9-1 — a comprehensive win that underlined Antim’s superiority on the mat.
Redemption After Olympic Heartbreak
This medal comes as a strong response from Antim after a disappointing Paris 2024 Olympic campaign, where she failed to reach the podium despite high expectations. For a young athlete burdened with being India’s first-ever female U20 World Champion and a consistent performer at senior level, the Olympic setback was a difficult pill to swallow.
But in Zagreb, Antim showed the world why she is considered one of the brightest prospects in women’s wrestling. Her resilience, mental strength, and hunger to prove herself were on full display as she fought through a tough draw and capped her campaign with a bronze. By securing her second medal at the senior Worlds, Antim now joins an elite list of Indian wrestlers who have won multiple medals at the competition.
- Bajrang Punia: 4 medals (1 silver, 3 bronze)
- Vinesh Phogat: 2 bronze medals
- Antim Panghal: 2 bronze medals
For Indian women’s wrestling, this is particularly significant. After Vinesh, who paved the way with her back-to-back medals in 2019 and 2022, Antim has carried the baton forward. She has now ensured that Indian women wrestlers have brought home at least one medal in three consecutive World Championships editions (2023, 2024, and 2025). Interestingly, both of Antim’s medals and one of Vinesh’s came at the expense of Jonna Malmgren in the bronze medal bout, highlighting a rivalry that has become symbolic of India vs Sweden in women’s 53kg.
Antim’s rise has been nothing short of phenomenal. From her early days as a teenage prodigy in Hisar to becoming India’s first-ever female U20 World Champion in 2022, she has always been a step ahead of her peers.
- 2022: U20 World Champion
- 2023: Senior World Championships bronze (Belgrade)
- 2024: Olympic debut (Paris)
- 2025: Senior World Championships bronze (Zagreb)
At just 21, she already has a career that many wrestlers would dream of, and with the experience she has gathered, the best may yet be to come.
Significance for Indian Wrestling
Antim’s medal has wider implications for Indian wrestling. With the sport facing scrutiny after underwhelming results at the Paris Olympics and internal federation issues, her performance serves as a reminder of India’s depth and talent pool in women’s wrestling. Her success also highlights the shift of power in Indian wrestling where younger athletes like Antim are stepping up on the world stage and carrying forward the legacy left by names such as Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia.
Moreover, the fact that she produced such a clinical performance against a decorated opponent like Malmgren shows the progress Indian wrestlers are making in terms of technical skills, stamina, and mental toughness.
For Antim, the bronze in Zagreb is both a proud moment and a stepping stone. The road to Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is long, and this medal will serve as motivation to refine her skills further. With time on her side, she has the potential to become India’s most decorated woman wrestler. As she stood on the podium, holding her second World Championships medal, Antim symbolized resilience, consistency, and hope. Her journey from a young girl in Hisar to a two-time World medallist at 21 reflects not just her personal determination but also the changing face of Indian wrestling bold, fearless, and hungry for global recognition.
Antim Panghal’s bronze at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships is not just another medal; it is a milestone. By defeating Jonna Malmgren 9-1 in the bronze medal match, she proved her class, her growth, and her ability to deliver under pressure. Now a two-time Worlds medallist, Antim stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Vinesh Phogat, carrying forward the legacy of Indian women’s wrestling. And for the millions of fans back home, her victory is a reminder that while setbacks may come, true champions always find their way back.
Antim Panghal the fighter, the trailblazer, the pride of India.
