"The country has placed its faith in me, and I want to live up to their expectations” - Antim Panghal ahead of Paris Olympics 2024

Antim Panghal, one of India's medal contenders in the 53 kg weight division at the forthcoming Paris Olympics 2024, is confident of living up to the nation’s expectations and is eager to ensure her podium finish at the quadrennial event in Paris.

In an exclusive interview with Jio Cinema’s ‘The Dreamers’ episode, Panghal got candid and shared her views on the upcoming mega event in Paris and how she emerged as the first Indian woman to secure a gold medal at the World Junior Championships.

"The country has placed its faith in me, and I want to live up to their expectations. Once I set my mind on something, I ensure it gets done," she told Jio Cinema.

Notably, Panghal’s wrestling journey started at the very young age of 10, courtesy of her elder sister, who motivated her to take up wrestling as a sport. Talking about her early days, Panghal stated that once she enters the mat, the nerves take a back seat.

"Before stepping onto the mat, I feel jitters, but once I am on the mat, the fear and nerves take a back seat. The spirit is all about fighting and winning,” she added.

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“My life changed after the 2022 Commonwealth Games” - Antim Panghal

Antim Panghal stated that her loss in the Commonwealth Games 2022 trials against Vinesh Phogat changed her career. The loss motivated Panghal to put her best foot forward and make it big in her upcoming games.

"The loss at the trial for the 2022 Commonwealth Games to Vinesh Phogat was tough, it motivated me to work harder. I went on to win a gold at the Junior World Championships, becoming the first Indian woman to do so, and later won a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Championships. My life changed after the 2022 Commonwealth Games," she went on to state.

It’s worth noting that Antim Panghal scripted history after becoming the first Indian female wrestler to bag a gold medal at the Junior World Wrestling Championships in 2022. Later in 2023, she defended her title.

Her bronze medal win at the World Wrestling Championships 2023 helped her to bag a Paris Olympics 2024 quota. Furthermore, she secured a silver medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2023 and a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2023 in China.

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