Antim Panghal Returns to Mat in Budapest, Faces Fitness Questions

Antim Panghal, India's 53kg wrestling sensation, is set to make her long-awaited return to competition at the International Ranking Series in Budapest from June 6. The world championships bronze medalist has been absent from the mat since October 2022, raising questions about her form and fitness ahead of the Paris Olympics.

With no national camp being held, Antim has been training at her base in Hisar. Her coach, Bhagat Singh, insists that she is fully fit and eager to prove herself in Budapest. However, her rivals have demanded selection trials to assess her readiness for the Olympics.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided not to hold trials, instead sending quota winners directly to Paris. This decision has drawn criticism from some wrestlers and coaches, who believe that trials are essential to ensure the best possible team is selected.

Antim's return to competition will be closely watched, as she aims to silence her critics and demonstrate her fitness for the Olympics. She will face stiff competition in Budapest, with several top wrestlers vying for ranking points.

Meanwhile, other Indian wrestlers, including Ravi Dahiya, Sarita Mor, and Shivanee Pawar, have requested WFI to send their entries for the Budapest ranking series. These wrestlers, who had hoped to challenge the quota winners for an Olympic berth, are keen to prove their form in an international event.

The Budapest ranking series will provide a crucial opportunity for Indian wrestlers to assess their progress and prepare for the Paris Olympics. Antim Panghal's performance will be particularly scrutinized, as she seeks to prove that she is ready to represent India on the world's biggest stage.

Tags: #AntimPanghal, #Wrestling, #ParisOlympics, #BudapestRankingSeries, #WFI