Asian Games: India’s Pinki Balhara Wins Bronze in Women’s 78kg Kurash

India’s Pinki Balhara won a bronze medal in the women’s 78kg Kurash event at the Asian Games. After receiving a bye in the pre-quarterfinals, Pinki defeated South Korea’s Lim Garam 3-0 in the quarterfinal to secure her place in the semifinals and guarantee a medal. She then lost 0-5 to another Korean competitor, Sumin Mo, in the semifinal and finished with bronze. This is Pinki’s second Asian Games medal after she won bronze in the 52kg category at the 2018 Asian Games.

Pinki, who hails from Delhi, began her sporting journey with judo at the age of nine before switching to Kurash with encouragement from her uncle. She revealed that she suffered a knee injury during her quarterfinal and faced difficulties in the semifinal because her opponent repeatedly targeted the injured area while attacking. Kurash is a martial art that resembles wrestling in appearance, but competitors fight while standing and leg attacks are not permitted. Points are awarded for taking an opponent down, while making the opponent’s back touch the ground results in defeat.