Antim Panghal, Nisha Dahiya, Manisha Bhanwala, and Dipanshee secured places in India's women's wrestling squad for the Asian Games after winning their respective categories at the Wrestling Federation of India selection trials in New Delhi on Saturday.
The 53kg category drew significant attention as two-time U20 world champion Antim Panghal edged past Asian Championships silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat 3-2 in a closely contested final to seal her berth for the Games.
Earlier, Meenakshi produced one of the biggest upsets of the trials by defeating Olympian Vinesh Phogat 6-4 in the semifinals, ending the former world championships medallist's hopes of making the squad.
In the 68kg category, Nisha Dahiya secured her place with a narrow 4-3 victory over Mansi Lather.
Asian Championships gold medallist Manisha Bhanwala continued her strong form in the 57kg division, defeating Neha 8-2 in the final. In the 50kg category, U15 Asian champion Dipanshee claimed top honours with a 9-3 win over Priyanshi.
Bhagyashree dominated the 62kg division, registering a 10-0 victory in the final. U23 Asian Championships bronze medallist Nitika and former U17 and U23 Asian champion Savita also emerged victorious in their respective bouts, winning 8-3 and 4-3.
In the 76kg category, Priya and Kajal advanced after semifinal victories, winning 4-2 and 6-2, respectively.
Wrestling Federation of India president Sanjay Singh congratulated the wrestlers and praised the standard of competition at the trials.
He said the performances reflected the depth of talent in Indian women's wrestling and expressed confidence that the selected athletes could challenge the best competitors in Asia.
With the women's trials concluded, the selected wrestlers will begin preparations for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Attention will now turn to the men's selection trials, scheduled to be held in Lucknow on Sunday, which will complete India's wrestling squad for the Games.