Indian wrestler Priya Malik secured a gold medal at the ongoing U20 World Wrestling Championships being held in Jordan, Priya became only the second Indian woman wrestler to become U20 world champion. She won the gold in the 76 kg category, defeating Germany’s Laura Kuehn 5-0 in the gold medal bout. Unperturbed by the cut suffered above her left eye, Priya easily got the better of Germany’s Laura Celive Kuehn, which had to be stopped twice due to bleeding suffered by the Indian. Previously, Antim Panghal, had won a gold in the previous edition.
While fast-rising Panghal also stormed into the title clash as unprecedented success followed India at the junior wrestling World Championships. Panghal, who hit the headlines for challenging Vinesh Phogat for the Asian Games trials but lost her petition, put up a dominating show to win her three bouts with consummate ease. For the first time ever, four Indian woman wrestlers reached the gold medal bouts at the junior World Championships as Savita (62kg) and Antim Kundu (65kg) also stayed unbeaten. Harshita is also in contention of a bronze in 72kg competition. Panghal lost just two points en route the final, annihilating her first round opponent from Poland Nikola Monika Wisniewska in mere 68 seconds and followed that up with technical superiority win over China’s Xuejing Liang. In the semi-finals, the wrestler from Hisar district of Haryana outplayed Russia’s Polina Lukina, again winning by technical superiority and not losing a single point. The achievement of this Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) athlete has now given India two gold’s at the ongoing championships, which has only happened for the second time ever.
The last time India did so was back in 2001. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) posted a tweet to announce the result to the fans. Also, Khelo India athlete Arju made India proud in the 68 kg category by defeating Turkey’s Elif Kurt in the bronze medal bout.
Notably, Mohit Kumar on Wednesday created history after winning the U20 World Wrestling Championships, defeating Eldar Akhmadudinov 9-8 in 61-kg freestyle event in Jordan. Apart from Mohit Kumar, Sagar Jaglan also claimed a silver medal in FS 79kg category while Deepak Chahal won a bronze medal FS 97kg category on Day second of the event. Jaideep (men’s freestyle 74kg, bronze) and Rajat Ruhal (men’s freestyle 125 kg, bronze) are also among the medal winners. Mohit is the fourth male wrestler from India to earn a gold medal in the U20 World Championships, following Palwinder Cheema (2001), Ramesh Kumar (2001), and Deepak Punia (2019). So far, India has won a total of seven medals with two gold, one silver, and four bronze medals.
