Every time Krishna Kumari has entered her humble kitchen in Gangwa, her youngest daughter, Antim, makes a familiar request: a meal of dahi (yogurt) mixed with red chilli powder and fried onions, namkeen rice, and kadhi (a yogurt-based curry). This comfort food is Antim’s way of finding solace upon returning from her grueling wrestling tournaments abroad.
Antim Panghal, a promising young wrestler, hails from the outskirts of Hisar, where her family moved to be closer to the Baba Lal Das Kushti akhada, where she trains diligently. The journey to support Antim’s wrestling dreams has been a significant sacrifice for her family. Her father, Ram Niwas Panghal, had to sell buffaloes, acres of land, and even their tractor to purchase their current home. Their modest dwelling comprises three rooms and a small kitchen, with a small courtyard outside, where their buffalo and cow reside. The house is mostly constructed of grey cement, while the inside exposes the brick structure. Antim’s uncle and grandmother tend to the remaining land in their village of Bhagana.
Antim’s father shared, “She has participated in at least 15 dangals (wrestling matches) to help with household expenses. She used to wrestle in these dangals to earn Rs 15,000-20,000, as there were no facilities or competitions at the time, and no financial support.”
Despite her fierce dedication to wrestling, Antim is still a teenager at heart. On August 31st, just days before her first senior World Championships, she celebrated her 19th birthday with a simple request—a birthday party. Her room still bears the remnants of the celebration, with streamers, a ‘Happy birthday’ sign, and three oversized pink teddy bears.
Antim’s life isn’t all wrestling. She enjoys playfighting with her brother, teasing her older sister, and occasionally watching reels on her phone. However, it has been seven years since she first stepped onto the wrestling mat, and four years since she competed in her first international tournament—the U-15 Asian Championship in Japan, where she won a silver medal. Her journey in wrestling has been marked by dedication, sacrifice, and a determination to reach the podium.
On a typical Sunday morning, Antim’s coach grants her an extra hour of sleep, allowing her to wake up at 5 AM instead of the usual 4 AM. She commutes to her akhada on her bright red scooter—a prize she won along with Rs 21,000 after triumphing in a dangal in Jhajjar.
Antim Panghal, a name synonymous with resilience and ambition, continues to rise in the world of wrestling, defying the odds stacked against her.