Antim Panghal looks to be the next big wrestler to come from India. The 19-year-old competes for Olympic gold for the first time when she heads to Paris for the 2024 Olympics.
Panghal has won multiple medals at the freestyle level, including two World Junior Championships gold medals and one silver from the Asian Championships. Born in Bhagana village of Haryana’s Hisar district, she also won gold at the 2023 World Championships.
The prodigy is the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the U-20 wrestling world championships. Still growing, she looks to become the face of wrestling, especially in India, home to a few Olympic medalists at the 53kg.
"I want to set new benchmarks for myself, so I am training accordingly and aiming to give my best," Panghal told Times Now. "My training over the last couple of months under the guidance of my coach and the team at the Inspire Institute of Sports has been intense. While I'm feeling stronger and more prepared than ever, as an athlete, I am aware it is never enough.
MORE: Olympics schedule 2024: Day-by-day TV coverage to watch Paris Games on NBC channels, stream online
"My hope and wish is to upskill myself, perform to my optimum best, and make my country proud. I'm excited to give my best on the world stage and bring home a medal for India."
Here is all you need to know about seeing Panghal in action at the Olympics, including the dates she will perform and how to watch.
Olympics Wrestling schedule 2024
Antim Panghal competes at 53kg for women's freestyle. She began her potential Olympic run August 8 to 9.
The best place to catch Panghal and the rest of the 53kg fights is FREE on Jio Cinema App or online on their website, jiocinema.com.
The Paris 2024 Olympics can also be watched on Sports18 Network in India across both SD and HD TV channels.
Below indicates when Panghal is scheduled to fight.
- Wednesday, August 7
- 3 pm. IST: WFS 53kg 1/8 Final
- 4:20 p.m. IST: WFS 53kg 1/4 Final
- 10:25 p.m. IST: WFS 53kg Semifinal
- Thursday, August 8
- 5 a.m. ET: WFS 53kg Repechage
- 2:50 p.m. ET: WFS 53kg Bronze Medal Match
- 3:15 p.m. ET: WFS 53kg Final
Antim Panghal 2024 Olympic Wrestling results
Antim Panghal lost against Turkey's Zeynep Yetgil in a one-sided bout 10-0 on August 7. She went through a rough weight cut, coming into the contest overweight.
However, that wasn't the only controversial moment of her Olympic run.
Panghal got deported from Paris after breaching disciplinary rules.
No other personnel, including family, except following background checks, are allowed at the Olympic Village. Following her loss, Panghal asked her sister to get her belongings from the Olympic Village to the family hotel. Her sister got caught and questioned by officials.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) shared an official statement about Panghal’s deportation from Paris:
"The Indian Olympic Association has decided to fly wrestler Antim Panghal and her support staff back after a disciplinary breach was brought to IOA’s notice by the French authorities."
Olympic Wrestling 2024 TV channels, live streams info
- Date: Monday, August 5 — Sunday, August 11
- Locations: Grand Palais Ephemere in Champ de Mars - France
- How to watch:
- Jio Cinema App
- jiocinema.com
- Sports18 Network