Manisha Bhanwala Wins Historic Wrestling World Championships Gold in Astana

Manisha Bhanwala secured India's first-ever women's gold medal at the Wrestling World Championships, defeating USA's Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 in the 59kg final in Astana, Kazakhstan. Her victory ended a 39-year wait for an Indian women's world title in the sport, making her only the second Indian overall after Sushil Kumar, who won gold in 2010.

A Triumph Forged Through Personal Loss

The historic triumph carried profound personal significance for the 29-year-old from Rohtak. In 2022, while traveling to compete at the Asian Championships, Manisha received the news that her father, Suresh—who had introduced her to wrestling and championed her ambitions—had passed away. Despite being offered the chance to withdraw by the Wrestling Federation of India to mourn, she chose to continue, guided by her father's advice to see through what she started.

Her resilience was on full display in the Astana final. Trailing 1-6 at the end of the first period, Manisha mounted a strong comeback in the final three minutes, scoring seven points to seal the 8-6 victory.

Journey and Career Milestones

Manisha began her wrestling career in 2013 when her father sent her to a training camp to improve her fitness. What started as a fitness endeavor soon turned into a serious competitive pursuit. Over the years, she transitioned across weight categories, securing a gold in the 62kg division at the 2025 Asian Championships in Amman and competing in the 57kg category at the 2026 Asian Games.

Her coach, Mandeep Saini, at the Chhotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak, noted that her years of experience, discipline, and commitment have shaped her into a complete competitor. Training support from the Inspire Institute of Sport and technical inputs from Japanese coach Kosei Akaishi have also aided her international development.

Road to the Final

• Pre-quarter-finals: Defeated Canada's Laurence Beauregard 6-2
• Quarter-finals: Won 6-0 against Mongolia's Bolortuya Khurelkhuu
• Semi-finals: Secured a victory by fall
• Final: Overcame Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 after trailing at the break

Manisha's gold added to India's successful outing in Astana, complementing silver-medal finishes by Neelam Sirohi (50kg) and Kajal Dhochak (76kg).