It was exactly a month ago that I had a chat with Antim Panghal’s father. He was agitated and upset. His daughter, despite winning the Asian Games trials, hadn’t been picked to represent India in Hangzhou and the 53kg spot was reserved for Vinesh Phogat, arguably India’s most decorated female wrestler in recent times. Antim had even moved court seeking justice. While the court upheld the decision to send Vinesh, it was as if the Gods wanted Antim to get an opportunity. Unfortunately for Vinesh and India, she suffered an injury and had to get operated on. That’s what opened the doors for Antim for the Asian Games. But before she made the trip to China, she needed to go to Belgrade for the World Championships. That was perhaps more important, because a good showing would guarantee her a quota for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Vinay Siwach, one of the best men in the sport to help understand it better, set it up. “Antim will win the quota,” he said to me when I spoke to him at the end of a frustrating campaign for the Indian men. “She is looking good and the only thing we need to see is how she adjusts to the pressures of the senior stage.”
The draw wasn’t in her favour, as she drew Dominique Parrish, the world champion, in the first round. Most experts did not give Antim much of a chance. But then, it was the underdog who stole the show and registered a stunning 3-2 victory. The next two rounds, including the quarter final, were a breeze and, all of a sudden, India was hoping she would make the final and win the quota. It wasn’t to be, in the most heartbreaking manner. In her semi-final, she was leading 4-3 till the last few seconds on the clock, and just as those watching were starting to celebrate, her opponent managed a takedown and two match-winning points. It was a contentious decision, no doubt, and Antim was heartbroken. Sport can be cruel at times, and you had to feel for the 19 year old.
Sport, as Abhinav Bindra says, teaches you to lose. In sport, you will always lose more than you will win. Sachin Tendulkar was the greatest to play his sport. He scored 51 hundreds in 200 Tests. Simply put, he did not score a century in 150 Test matches. That’s sport. Real, not reel. No retakes.
Antim ANTIM (UWW) wins a 🌎🥉 and is headed to the Paris Olympic Games!
Everything you need to know:
📍Belgrade, Serbia 🇷🇸
🗓️: September 16-24
Qualification: 10:30
🥇🥈🥉= 18:00
#️⃣: #WrestleBelgrade
🖥️: https://t.co/DyIQNCWZcu / UWW+
📱: UWW+ pic.twitter.com/Ce6HspZlYP— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) September 21, 2023
In sport, you always fail in public. In front of millions. Just like Sachin did in the 2007 World Cup, when he was bowled in the match against Sri Lanka for a duck. He wanted to retire. Give it all up. Thankfully, he did not. A call from Sir Viv Richards made a difference. He came back, with his support system around him backing him up, and won the trophy in 2011. And yes, in public, in front of millions watching.
That’s why sport is unique. The only thing that allows you to fail in public, and then come back and win in public. This was Antim’s chance. Easier said than done, but it was her opportunity to show resolve. She is already a champion of this generation, and all of us hoped she would come back a day later a better wrestler. She did. That’s what will define her. The comeback. She raced to a 5-0 lead in the bronze medal match before her opponent made it 6-5 with some smart moves. But just at the end of the first period, Antim managed a crucial point to go in at 6-6. Thereafter, it was all Antim. In no time it was 16-6 in her favour, and the bronze medal and Olympic quota were both hers. While the quota belongs to India, with Vinesh out injured and Antim rising like a phoenix, it is difficult to look beyond her at this point. The baton in women’s wrestling in India has been passed on. Her World Championship bronze marks the rise of Antim as the premier wrestler in her category, and Vinesh will have to do something miraculous to wrestle the mantle back.
With the quota, there was something to cheer for India in Belgrade in what has otherwise been a very disappointing World Championships. Antim will now prepare for China and while two back-to-back competitions are never easy, the high of Belgrade should see her through at Hangzhou. From demanding justice a month ago to being the toast of the nation this morning, Antim Panghal has now seen it all. From agony to ecstasy, the 19 year old has experienced sport in all its hues. That will only do her good going forward.