India’s Women Wrestlers Seal Asian Games Spots With Antim, Nisha, And Manisha Leading Charge

Pearl Doshi - Gujarat Bureau May 30, 2026 1,100 Views

India has finalized its women’s wrestling squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with Antim Panghal, Nisha Dahiya, Manisha Bhanwala, Dipanshee, and others securing their spots after winning the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) selection trials at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi. Vinesh Phogat returned to competition but failed to qualify.

Selection Trials In New Delhi

The WFI held its women’s wrestling selection trials on May 30, 2026, featuring top grapplers across weight categories. The event showcased India’s depth of talent, with several young wrestlers defeating seasoned names to earn their places in the Asian Games squad.

Key Winners

Antim Panghal (53kg): Two-time U20 World Champion, defeated Meenakshi Goyat 3-2 in the final. Meenakshi had earlier upset Olympian Vinesh Phogat 6-4 in the semifinal.
Nisha Dahiya (68kg): Clinched her spot with a narrow 4-3 win over Mansi Lather.
Manisha Bhanwala (57kg): 2025 Asian Championships gold medallist, beat Neha Sharma 8-2.
Dipanshee (50kg): U15 Asian Champion, overcame Priyanshi 9-3.
Bhagyashree (62kg): U23 Asian Championships gold medallist, dominated Sarita 10-0.
Nitika (65kg): U23 Asian Championships bronze medallist, won 8-3.
Savita (72kg): Former U17 and U23 Asian champion, edged her opponent 4-3.
Priya and Kajal (76kg): Advanced with semifinal wins, securing their places.

Upsets And Highlights

The 53kg category was the highlight, with Meenakshi Goyat defeating Vinesh Phogat before losing to Antim Panghal in the final. Vinesh’s failure to qualify was a major talking point, though her return to competitive wrestling was noted positively.

WFI’s Statement

WFI President Sanjay Singh congratulated the winners, praising their grit and technical brilliance. He emphasized that the trials proved India’s women’s wrestling pipeline is “incredibly strong” and expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to bring glory at the Asian Games.

Squad Highlights