Meenakshi Reaches 53kg Final; Hansika and Neha Win Bronze at Asian Wrestling Championships

New Delhi — India’s campaign at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek saw a strong showing from its women wrestlers, led by Meenakshi Goyat, who booked her place in the 53kg final with a dramatic comeback victory.

Facing South Korea’s Seoyoung Park in the semifinal, Meenakshi was trailing 0-2 until the final moments of the bout. In a remarkable turnaround, the 25-year-old executed a decisive four-point throw in the last 30 seconds to snatch victory and secure her spot in the final. Earlier, she had earned her place in the national squad by defeating two-time World Championships bronze medallist Antim Panghal.

Meenakshi will now take on China’s Jin Zhang in the final, after the Chinese wrestler advanced by defeating Japan’s Moe Kiyooka.

India also added two bronze medals through impressive performances by young wrestlers Hansika Lamba and Neha. Competing in the 55kg category, 19-year-old Hansika kept her composure against Kyrgyzstan’s Aruuke Kadyrbek Kyzy before taking control in the second round. A well-timed leg attack helped her secure a takedown, and she went on to win the bout convincingly 6-1.

In the 59kg category, Neha delivered a dominant performance to defeat Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu 10-4, clinching India’s seventh medal of the tournament.

These achievements add to India’s growing medal tally, following a solid start by the men’s Greco-Roman team, which had already secured two silver and three bronze medals in the opening days.

Looking ahead, Harshita (72kg) and Monika (65kg) will compete for bronze medals on Friday. Harshita, who lost her semifinal to Japan’s Mahiro Yoshitake, will face Uzbekistan’s Sevinchoy Polvonova, while Monika is set to take on South Korea’s Hanbit Lee after her quarterfinal defeat to Japan’s Nana Ikehata.

Meanwhile, Minakshi (57kg) and Mansi (62kg) are still in the hunt via the repechage rounds. Minakshi will face Kyrgyzstan’s Tancholpon Kybalbekova, and Mansi will go up against Mongolia’s Tserenchimed Sukhee as they aim to keep India’s medal run going.

With inputs from IANS