Nishu Wins 53kg Trial, Sets Up Final Showdown With Antim Panghal for World Championships Berth

Nishu emerged as the winner of the women’s 53kg category at the national selection trials in New Delhi on Monday, setting up a high-stakes final trial showdown with Asian Games-bound Antim Panghal for India’s berth at the Senior World Wrestling Championships 2026.

Competing at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Nishu came through a fiercely contested 53kg field and defeated Thishka in the final to finish at the top of the category. Her victory now puts her one step away from earning the opportunity to represent India at the Senior World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, scheduled from October 24 to November 1.

However, Nishu’s place in the World Championships team is not yet confirmed. Under the Wrestling Federation of India’s selection policy, Monday’s trial winners have earned the right to challenge wrestlers already bound for the Asian Games in a final trial. The eventual winner of that contest will secure the World Championships berth.

The 53kg category will now be decided by a direct contest between Nishu and Antim Panghal. Antim has already been selected for the Asian Games, but Nishu’s victory at the national trials has opened the door for her to challenge the established international campaigner for the World Championships opportunity. The WFI will conduct the final trial at a later date, with the outcome determining India’s representative in the 53kg category at the Senior World Championships.

The contest adds another layer of competition to an already fiercely contested weight class. Nishu has demonstrated her ability to come through a competitive field, while Antim will enter the decisive trial with the advantage of being the wrestler selected for the Asian Games. For Nishu, Monday’s victory provides both momentum and an opportunity to take the next major step in her senior career.

Kajal Continues Impressive Run

Two-time U20 World Champion Kajal was another standout performer at the trials, finishing on top of the 76kg category. Kajal defeated Siksha in the final to claim first position, continuing the impressive form that has established her as one of India's promising wrestlers. Her victory gives her another important boost as she looks to transition her success at the junior level into the senior ranks.

In the 57kg category, Simran produced a composed performance to secure the title. She defeated Swati Shinde in the final, finishing at the top of another competitive weight class. Neelam also emerged victorious in the 50kg category, overcoming Ankush in the final to secure first position.

The 62kg category was won by Tapsya, who defeated Anjali in the final. Her victory saw her finish ahead of the field and secure the top position in the weight class. Srishti emerged victorious in the 68kg category after beating Bipasha in the final, completing the list of winners across the six categories contested on Monday. The results highlighted the depth of competition in Indian women's wrestling, with multiple wrestlers battling for opportunities to move onto the international stage.

The trials featured six weight categories, with the winners now having earned important positions under the WFI's selection framework.

WFI President Sanjay Singh praised the standard of wrestling displayed during the trials and pointed to the increasing depth across India's women's weight categories. “The quality and intensity of the bouts today were encouraging. The wrestlers fought with tremendous determination and showed that there is considerable depth across the weight categories,” Sanjay Singh said.

He also congratulated the winners and expressed his anticipation of seeing them compete for India at international competitions. The trials therefore served not only as a pathway to World Championships selection but also as an important indicator of the depth emerging within Indian women's wrestling.

With the World Championships scheduled in Astana from October 24 to November 1, the stakes are now particularly high for Nishu and Antim. Nishu's victory has earned her the right to challenge Antim in the 53kg category, meaning the final decision will come down to a head-to-head trial rather than Monday's result alone. Meanwhile, Kajal, Simran, Neelam, Tapsya and Srishti have all emerged as winners in their respective categories, strengthening their claims within the national selection picture.

The WFI has also confirmed that trials in four non-Olympic weight classes will be held at a later date. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on the 53kg category. Nishu has taken the first step by winning Monday's trial. Antim Panghal stands between her and a World Championships place, setting up a decisive final trial that could have major implications for India's women's wrestling team in Astana.