Antim Panghal Prioritises Paris Olympics Aspirations Over Mithai Cravings: Teen Wrestler Overhauls Diet Plan to Tackle Weight Challenge

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For the next three weeks, India's 19-year-old World and Asian Games medalist in women's wrestling, Antim Panghal, will be putting her love for 'Mithai' or sweets and dairy products on hold.

With the Paris Olympics 2024 on the horizon, Antim Panghal, who is deemed a prominent medal contender at her Olympics debut, is determined to maintain the perfect body weight for her 53kg category, according to her coach Bhagat Singh.

"Cutting down on sweets and dairy products is part of our plan to gradually reduce weight and stay on track for the Olympic Games," the wrestling coach revealed, emphasising the meticulous planning required to stay healthy.

At the moment, Antim weighs two to three kilograms above her weight category of 53kg. While this is not immediately concerning, "what is important is to gradually cut down the weight and not a day before the bout," the coach explained.

For a teenager, ignoring the urge for sweets like mithai, milk, and ghee can be particularly challenging. Yet, Antim's Olympic dreams make the sacrifice worthwhile. The young wrestler from Hisar in Haryana is one of the five Indian female freestyle wrestlers qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024, which starts on July 26. Competing in the women's 53kg event, she is seen as a strong medal contender.

According to Bhagat Singh, wrestlers often weigh more than their respective weight categories and it is common practice to cut down weight close to the competition. "Maintaining the right body weight plays a major role in achieving good results on the mat in major competitions," he added. "A drastic cut down on weight within a short span of time can have a negative impact on performance."

The wrestling competition in Paris starts on August 5, with Antim's 53kg bout beginning on August 7. Her team plans to arrive in France between August 2 and 3 to acclimate and prepare. As per the competition rules, wrestlers must weigh in the morning before the competition and must meet the weight requirements of their category.

To stay competitively fit, the teenager will have two coaches, including her personal coach Bhagat Singh, and a physio named Heera, who joined Antim's camp two-and-a-half months ago. Heera's role is crucial in keeping Antim injury-free, especially after she reportedly skipped the Asian Wrestling Championships in April due to back pain.

Antim's second coach, Vikas Bhardwaj, will act as her sparring partner on the mat. Additionally, three coaches appointed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)-Jagmander Singh (men), Virender Singh (women), and Manjeet Rai (female)-will support the Indian squad bound for Paris. However, the exact roles of the WFI coaches remain a topic of discussion. The WFI also has a team physio, Ashwini Jeevan Patil.

The wrestling contingent for the Olympics comprises six wrestlers, including one male, Aman Sehrawat (57kg freestyle), each with their personal coaches. Overall, the team includes six athletes and 12 members of the coaching and support staff for the Olympic Games.