The Intensity of Olympic Pressure: Antim
1 month ago | 5 Views
New Delhi: Six months ago, Antim Panghal made her Olympic debut at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris, only to see her aspirations dissolve within a mere 90 seconds. The 20-year-old suffered a loss by technical superiority to Turkey’s Zeynep Yetgil, a two-time bronze medallist at the European Championships, marking a disappointing day for India’s wrestling team, which had previously witnessed Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from her gold medal match due to a weight issue in the 50kg category.
“I vividly recall the low morale within the camp. There was a palpable sense of disbelief. While I cannot say it affected my mindset, wrestling is ultimately an individual sport. I believe I could have performed better,” Panghal reflected on her Olympic experience after securing victory at the IIS Haryana Dangal Championship in Hisar, her first competitive event since the disappointment in Paris.
“I think the significance of the occasion overwhelmed me. The pressure of the Olympics is unparalleled,” she acknowledged. Despite this, Panghal has previously competed in high-pressure environments such as the World Championships and the Asian Games. As a two-time junior world champion, she was the sole Indian medallist at the 2023 Belgrade World Championships, where she secured a third-place finish. She also holds an Asian Games bronze medal, yet she noted that the Olympics tested her composure like no other event.
“It can be incredibly overwhelming, and it is easy to lose focus. That is when the pressure can take over, rendering your best strategies ineffective,” she explained. She believed her opponent at the Games was “entirely beatable.”
“I had defeated her before and was familiar with her style. However, on that crucial day, she managed to execute her techniques effectively. Additionally, I was dealing with persistent pain in my waist and lower back from an injury, which contributed to my performance issues,” she added.
In contrast to many athletes who opted for a break to recover from the stresses of the demanding Olympic cycle, Panghal chose to take immediate corrective action. She sought the assistance of a physiotherapist to address her back issues.
We commenced training gradually following rehabilitation, and I was able to engage in full-intensity training within a few months. I have been training consistently for the past four to five months and am currently focused on refining certain technical aspects of my performance, she stated.
"I believe that Paris represented a missed opportunity," she added. "I had the capability to advance to the medal rounds and potentially secure a medal, but that cannot be changed. I still awaken with a sense of disappointment. The pain from that experience will require time to mend, although I have gained valuable insights from my first Olympic experience." These insights primarily pertain to emotional intelligence and managing the surrounding excitement.
"While I have participated in quadrennial Games previously, the anticipation leading up to the Olympics was unparalleled for me. I will be better equipped for the next occasion."
With the Los Angeles Games still four years away, Panghal has established short-term objectives for herself. "We have the Asian Championships scheduled for March 25-30 and the World Championships from September 13-21 this year, and I will strategize my peak performance around those competitions. My training is progressing well, I feel great both mentally and physically, and I am maintaining my weight. I am eager to start winning again," she concluded.
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