Oslo: Wrestler Anshu Malik became the first Indian woman to earn silver at the World Championships after she lost to Helen Maroulis in the women’s 57kg final in Oslo on Thursday.
Coming into the bout as India’s first-ever women World Championship finalist, the 19-year-old started aggressively and with great intent. She was up 1-0 at the time of the break, but the fight shifted dramatically in the second. Maroulis grabbed Anshu’s arm and pulled her down, completing a take-down move to take a 2-1 lead. She tightened her grasp on Anshu’s right arm and continued twisting to score a ‘exposure’ point, bringing the score to 4-1.
Anshu, the reigning Asian Champion, was in excruciating pain, but the American refused to let go of her grasp and had Anshu’s back on the mat to win by fall. The Indian athlete required medical attention immediately following the fight because she was in tears.
ANSHU creates history by becoming 1st 🇮🇳 woman wrestler to win a SILVER 🥈 at prestigious World C'ships @OLyAnshu goes down against Tokyo 2020 Bronze medalist Helen Marlouis of USA 🇺🇸 at #WrestleOslo in 57 kg event
Anshu displayed a commendable spirit, many congratulations! pic.twitter.com/VA2AsVLoii
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) October 7, 2021
Nonetheless, the Nidani wrestler delivered a spectacular performance, becoming the only fifth Indian woman to earn a world championship medal and the best so far.
On the other hand, another Indian grappler Sarita Mor also won a bronze medal for the nation in the World Wrestling Championships. Sarita defeated Sweden’s Sara Lindborg 8-2 to clinch the bronze medal in the women’s 59kg.
She has now became the second Indian woman to win a medal in the 2021 Championships. She also became the sixth Indian Woman bronze medalist and the seventh medalist overall at the World Championships.
Good Morning 🇮🇳 🙂🙂
Here are the Highlights of #IndianSports for 8th Oct
World Wrestling C'ships, Olso
✳️ @OLyAnshu wins a historic SILVER medal 🥈 for 🇮🇳 in the 57kg event✳️ @saritamor3 wins a BRONZE medal 🥉in the 59kg event#Wrestling
1/2 pic.twitter.com/VHqvN6DTgG— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) October 8, 2021
The Indian women have now surpassed their greatest ever performance at the World Championships, as Phogat sisters’ bronze medals in 2012 were the country’s best performance until Thursday.
