Two-time national champion Meenakshi Goyat made a remarkable comeback to secure a spot in the women’s 53kg final by defeating South Korea’s Seoyoung Park at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Meenakshi, who overcame two-time World Championships bronze medallist Antim Panghal to earn her place in the Indian squad, clinched victory with a four-point throw in the closing moments of her semifinal bout.
In the final, Meenakshi will face China’s Jin Zhang, who advanced after defeating Japan’s Moe Kiyooka. Additionally, Hansika Lamba (55kg) and Neha (59kg) brought home bronze medals for India, contributing to the country’s medal tally at the championships.
Hansika displayed patience in her bout against Kyrgyzstan’s Aruuke Kadyrbek Kyzy before taking control in the second round with a successful leg attack, securing a 6-1 win in the women’s 55kg bronze medal match. Neha claimed India’s seventh medal of the competition with a dominant 10-4 victory over Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu in the women’s 59kg bronze medal playoff.
Harshita (72kg) and Monika (65kg) will aim for bronze medals in their respective categories. Harshita, after losing her semifinal to Japan’s Mahiro Yoshitake, will compete against Uzbekistan’s Sevinchoy Polvonova for the bronze. Monika, who faced a quarterfinal defeat, will challenge South Korea’s Hanbit Lee in the bronze medal match in the 65kg category.
Minakshi (57kg) and Mansi (62kg) are still in contention after moving to the repechage rounds. Minakshi will battle Kyrgyzstan’s Tancholpon Kybalbekova, while Mansi will take on Mongolia’s Tserenchimed Sukhee in their upcoming matches.
