Antim, Nisha Dahiya Head India's Women's Wrestling Squad for Asian Games

India's women's wrestling team for the upcoming Asian Games is beginning to take shape after an intense day of competition at the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) selection trials in New Delhi.

Several of the country's leading wrestlers delivered commanding performances at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Saturday to secure top spots in their respective weight categories and strengthen their claims for inclusion in the national squad. Among the standout performers were Antim, Nisha Dahiya and Mansi Ahlawat, all of whom emerged victorious in high-stakes contests that carried major implications for Asian Games selection.

The trials brought together some of India's most accomplished wrestlers and rising stars, creating a fiercely competitive environment as athletes battled for the opportunity to represent the country on one of Asia's biggest sporting stages.

One of the most closely watched categories of the day was the women's 53kg division. The weight class attracted significant attention due to the quality of wrestlers involved and the importance of the category within India's women's wrestling setup. Antim lived up to expectations by winning the gold medal and overcoming Meenakshi in the final.

The victory capped a strong performance throughout the trials and further established Antim as one of the country's leading wrestlers in her weight category.

Her success comes at an important stage in her career as she continues to build on a series of strong domestic and international performances. With the Asian Games approaching, the result positions her among the key names expected to carry India's medal hopes.

Another major talking point from the trials was the performance of Nisha Dahiya in the 68kg category. The experienced wrestler entered the competition as one of the favourites and delivered under pressure, defeating Mansi Lather in the final to secure the gold medal.

Nisha has consistently been among India's top wrestlers over the past few years and her victory reaffirmed her status as one of the strongest contenders in the national setup. The win also demonstrated her ability to perform in crucial selection events where the stakes extend beyond medals and directly impact opportunities at major international competitions.

Her inclusion strengthens India's prospects in a weight category where the country has traditionally been competitive on the continental stage.

The 62kg category saw Mansi Ahlawat produce another noteworthy performance. Facing Sarita in the final, Mansi showcased strong technical execution and composure to claim the gold medal and secure one of the most significant victories of her career. The result marked an important milestone for the wrestler and highlighted the increasing depth within Indian women's wrestling.

With competition intensifying across all weight categories, Mansi's triumph ensures she remains firmly in the conversation as India prepares its squad for future international assignments.

The trials also produced several other impressive performances.

In the 50kg category, Dipanshi emerged victorious to claim gold, while Priyanshi finished with silver. The result capped a successful campaign for Dipanshi, who demonstrated consistency throughout the competition. The 57kg division saw Manisha secure gold after defeating Neha Sharma. Manisha's victory added another experienced name to the list of wrestlers expected to play an important role in India's future campaigns.

Meanwhile, Priya topped the podium in the 72kg category after overcoming Kajal in the final. Her performance completed a day that saw multiple wrestlers deliver convincing displays under intense pressure. Together, the results highlighted the strength of India's women's wrestling programme and the depth of talent currently available across weight classes.

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Following the conclusion of the trials, Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay Singh praised the quality of competition on display. According to Singh, the level of wrestling witnessed at the Indira Gandhi Stadium reflected the strength of the country's talent pipeline and the progress being made in women's wrestling.

The federation views the trials as an important step in finalising a squad capable of competing for medals at the Asian Games and other major international events. The performances in Delhi provided selectors with a valuable opportunity to assess athletes in direct competition against their domestic rivals, ensuring that the eventual squad is selected on merit and current form.

With the trials now completed, attention will shift toward preparation and training. The wrestlers who secured top positions will enter an intensive phase aimed at refining techniques, improving fitness and preparing for the challenges that await on the continental stage.

India has established itself as one of Asia's strongest wrestling nations, particularly in women's wrestling, where athletes have consistently delivered medals at major championships. The performances of Antim, Nisha Dahiya, Mansi Ahlawat and several others at the selection trials suggest that the next Asian Games squad will feature a blend of established performers and emerging talent.

As preparations begin in earnest, the trials in New Delhi have provided a clear indication of the athletes expected to lead India's challenge. For Antim, Nisha and Mansi, the victories represent not just domestic success but a crucial step towards competing on one of the biggest stages in Asian sport.