Meenakshi Goyat Advances to Final at Asian Wrestling Championships

Meenakshi Goyat's Remarkable Comeback

New Delhi [India], April 9: Two-time national champion Meenakshi Goyat staged an impressive comeback to defeat South Korea's Seoyoung Park, securing her place in the final of the women's 53kg category at the 2026 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Thursday.

Meenakshi, who earned her spot on the Indian team by overcoming two-time world bronze medalist Antim Panghal, found herself trailing 0-2 with just 30 seconds remaining against her Korean opponent. In a stunning turn of events, the 25-year-old executed a four-point throw and successfully defended her position to clinch a spot in the final.

She will now compete against China's Jin Zhang, who secured her final berth by defeating Japan's Moe Kiyooka.

India's Medal Count Grows

In addition to Meenakshi's success, Hansika Lamba (55kg) contributed another bronze medal to India's tally, while Neha (59kg) also secured a bronze after the men's Greco-Roman wrestlers brought home two silver and three bronze medals in the initial days of the competition.

During the women's 55kg bronze medal match, Hansika displayed caution in the first round against Kyrgyzstan's Aruuke Kadyrbek Kyzy. The 19-year-old Indian wrestler made her mark with a takedown in the second round, ultimately winning the bout 6-1.

Neha followed suit, adding the seventh medal for India with a commanding 10-4 victory over Mongolia's Bolortuya Khurelkhuu in the women's 59kg bronze medal playoff.

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, Harshita (72kg) and Monika (65kg) are set to compete for bronze medals on Friday. Harshita faced a tough challenge in the semi-finals, losing 2-7 to Japan's Mahiro Yoshitake, the 2024 Asian Championships gold medalist. She will now take on Uzbekistan's Sevinchoy Polvonova for the bronze.

Monika, who lost to eventual finalist Nana Ikehata of Japan in the quarter-finals, will face South Korea's Hanbit Lee, a losing semi-finalist, in her bronze medal match.

Additionally, Minakshi (57kg) and Mansi (62kg) will have opportunities to compete for medals after advancing to the Repechage round, following their losses in the finals of their respective weight categories.

In the Repechage, Minakshi will go up against Kyrgyzstan's Tancholpon Kybalbekova, while Mansi will take on Mongolia's Tserenchimed Sukhee on Friday.