Asian Games 2023: Antim Panghal wins bronze in wrestling, Chirag-Satwik also assured of badminton medal

Teen sensation Antim Panghal humbled Tokyo Olympics medallist Bolortuya Bat-Ochir 3-1 to win a bronze medal but other Indian wrestlers struggled badly at the Asian Games here on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Antim bounced back after losing to two-time Japanese world champion Akari Fujinami in the quarterfinals in a superb manner as she did not let the Mongolian attack much in the women's 53kg bronze play-off.

Antim saved the day for the Indian contingent which badly needed a medal after Narinder Cheema (Greco-Roman 97kg), Naveen (Greco Roman 130kg) and Pooja Gehlot (women's 50kg) were ousted.

Pooja was outplayed 2-9 in the bronze medal bout by Aktenge Keunimjaeva, the Asian championship bronze winner.

A lot was expected from Mansi Ahlawat (women's 57kg) too but she ended up losing her bronze play-off 'by fall' to Uzbekistan's Laylokhon Sobirova, who needed just 70 seconds to win the contest.

Antim had come to Hangzhou after winning a bronze at the world championships and she carried her good form into the prestigious event.

Her bronze is only the second wrestling medal of this edition.

Meanwhile, India confirmed another medal in badminton, with the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty comfortably beating their opponents from Singapore 21-7, 21-9 to qualify for the semifinals.

The duo also became only the second Indian men's doubles pair to secure a medal after Leroy D'sa and Pradeep Gandhe won a bronze in 1982.

Satwik and Chirag confirmed a men's doubles medal after 41 years with an easy 21-7 21-9 win over Singapore's Nge Joo Jie and Johann Prajogo in the quarterfinals to set up a clash with Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Sooh Wooi Yik on Friday.

India Schedule for Oct 6 in Asian Games: Medal events in Hockey, Kabaddi, Cricket, Archery; Day 13 timings