Manisha Bhanwala Makes History: India's First Female World Wrestling Champion!
Manisha Bhanwala makes history as the first Indian woman to win gold at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana.
In a moment that will be remembered for generations, Manisha Bhanwala world champion status has been officially cemented, as she became the first Indian woman ever to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. The historic feat took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, where Bhanwala overcame immense odds to secure the top spot on the podium in the 59kg category.
A Thrilling Comeback for the Ages
The final bout was nothing short of a cinematic drama. Facing off against the formidable Abigail Elizabeth Nette of the USA, Manisha found herself in a precarious position early in the match. The American wrestler took a commanding lead, leaving Manisha trailing 0-6.
However, refusing to back down, the Indian grappler displayed extraordinary grit and tactical intelligence. In a stunning turnaround, Manisha clawed her way back into the match, eventually overturning the deficit to win the bout 8-6. This victory didn't just win her a medal; it shattered a long-standing glass ceiling for Indian women's wrestling on the global stage.
Breaking the Golden Barrier
Before this monumental triumph, a gold medal in women's wrestling at the World Championships had remained an elusive dream for India. Manisha succeeded where others had come close; she crossed the finish line that had previously eluded Anshu Malik in 2021, as well as her current teammates Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi, who both secured silver medals in this edition of the tournament.
India's Medal Haul at the 2026 World Championships
Manisha's gold provided a glorious conclusion to a highly successful campaign for the Indian women's contingent. India finished the championships with an impressive total of four medals:
- Gold: Manisha Bhanwala (59kg)
- Silver: Kajal Dhochak
- Silver: Neelam Sirohi
- Bronze: Tanu Sharma (72kg)
Men's Campaign Ends in Heartbreak
While the women celebrated a historic haul, the men's freestyle campaign faced a tougher road. In the 97kg category, Vicky Hooda's journey ended in the repechage round. He faced the Iranian heavyweight Hassan Yazdani, who secured a victory via technical superiority with a score of 10-0.
Additionally, the Indian men's challenge in the 61kg, 70kg, 86kg, and 125kg categories concluded during the preliminary stages, with all grapplers exiting the competition before the semi-finals on Friday.