Anshu Malik becomes first woman from India to clinch a silver in our World Wrestling Championship

Oslo, Norway – Wrestler Anshu Malik became the first Indian woman to win a silver medal at the World Championships on Thursday. Even though this means that India is slowly upping its performance level at such mega events, it also means that the nation will have to wait for another year for a gold at the annual event.

Malik lost to a much experienced Helen Lousie Marouli as she fought for gold contention in the 57kg weight category in Oslo, Norway. Lousie was also the gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The biggest achievement for the 19-year-old is becoming the first woman ever to become a finalist at the World Championship. The last match started in an aggressive fashion from the Indian side where she even managed to take lead by 1-0 but could not continue with the rhythm as she began to lose out the game soon after.

Louise pulled her and went for a complete takedown to move to 2-1 and continued her grip on Malik and forced her for an exposure making the score 4-1. As per the officials, Malik was in terrible pain as she was shouting but the American refused to loosen her grip and in no time she had Anshu back on the mat by fall.

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It was the American’s determination that impressed the experts, who believe that if she continues with the form, she has another chance of repeating her 2016 victory at the Paris Olympics. As for the Indian wrestler, the youngster was quickly taken to the medical care unit after the match.

Except for the Olympics, Malik has shown tremendous potential having also won the last Asian championship and with this win, she has already given India its best ever show in the five medal haul over the years.

Other female wrestlers to have won a World Championship medal were Geeta Phogat, Babita Phogat, Pooja Dhanda and Vinesh Phogat  and all of them won a bronze.

In the same tournament, another Indian wrestler Sarita Mor became the sixth Indian woman to win a bronze for the country after Anshu securing a silver. Overall, India has won 20 medals in the Wrestling World Championships, out of which it has five silver and 14  bronze and only one gold to its name. The precious gold was won by Sushil Kumar in 2010.