Belgrade, Sep 21 (IANS): Indian wrestler Antim Panghal will fight for bronze medal and 2024 Paris Olympic quota on Thursday, after losing 4-5 to Belarus’ Vanesa Kaladzinskaya in the World Wrestling Championships 2023 semi-final in 53 kg category, here.
According to information received, Kaladzinskaya will now take on Japan’s Akari Fujinami, who defeated Greece’s Maria Prevolaraki in the other semi-final, in the gold medal clash.
Kaladzinskaya took a crucial 1-0 lead at the end of the first round to push Panghal on the backfoot. In the second round, 19-year-old Panghal tried hard to make a comeback but failed to take a lead and lost the bout.
Earlier in the day, Panghal beat reigning world champion Olivia Dominique Parrish. The young Indian was struggling 0-2 at one time but kept her composure to win the match 3-2.