Individual World Cup Day 5 Result: India’s Anshu Malik won a silver medal in the 57kg category of women’s wrestling at the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia, on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old Indian wrestler put up a valiant effort but unfortunately succumbed to reigning European champion Anastasia Nichita 5-1 in the final.
Facing a wrestling stalwart in the gold medal fight, Anshu knew she had to be on top of her game to have any chance of walking away with the top honours in what was her just third international event at the senior level.
Anshu’s silver medal effort means that India have finally opened their medal account in what has till now been a rather disappointing World Cup for them.
The result would also serve as a confidence boost for Anshu herself. The 57kg division is one where India haven’t yet qualified an athlete for the Tokyo Olympics and former world bronze medalist Pooja Dhanda is expected to challenge Anshu for a place on the Indian team.
While Anshu had said prior to the competition she was under no real pressure and had not burdened herself with any expectations, the strong result in Belgrade will only cement her claim to a spot on the Indian team for the first Olympic qualifier next year.
Road to Finals:
Qualification: Anshu ANSHU (IND) df. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE): 4-2
Quarter Final: Anshu ANSHU (IND) df. Laura MERTENS (GER): 3-1
Semi Final: Anshu ANSHU (IND) df. Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS): 7-4
Final: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Anshu ANSHU (IND): 5-1