Manisha Bhanwala Becomes First Indian Woman Wrestler to Win World Championship Gold
Manisha Bhanwala rallied from a 6-point deficit to beat Abigail Nette 8-6, ending India’s wait for a women’s world champion.
- On Friday, October 30, 2026, Manisha Bhanwala became India's first woman World Champion in wrestling, defeating American Abigail Nette 8-6 in the 59kg final at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- After competing in three straight World Championships without success, Manisha switched from 57kg to the non-Olympic 59kg category this year. She staged a comeback in Friday's final, overcoming a 6-0 deficit in the second period to claim the title.
- Alongside Manisha's gold, India secured an unprecedented four medals in women's wrestling, with Neelam Sirohi and Kajal Dhochak winning silver medals and Tanu Sharma claiming bronze in 72kg, surpassing the 2021 record of one silver and one bronze.
- Manisha becomes only the second Indian wrestler ever to win a World Championships gold after Sushil Kumar claimed the men's 66kg title in 2010, marking a historic shift in India's international wrestling standing.
- High performance director Ian Butler attributed the team's success to a mental shift, stating, "It is important for Indian wrestlers to test themselves regularly against the best in the world." The squad is now focused on building momentum for the 2028 LA Games.
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Manisha Bhanwala creates history, becomes first Indian woman to win wrestling world championship gold
Manisha Bhanwala created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a Wrestling World Championships gold medal. She defeated American Elizabeth Nette 8-6 in the 59kg final, while Neelam Sirohi and Kajal Dhochak secured silver medals.
Manisha Bhanwala scripts history, becomes Indias first woman world champion in wrestling - The Tribune
Manisha Bhanwala etched her name in the annals of Indian sports history on Friday, becoming the first woman from the country to strike gold at the Senior World Wrestling Championships after a thrilling victory in the 59kg final.
Manisha Bhanwala became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a world wrestling title. She defeated American wrestler Abigail Nett in the gold medal match.
Who is Tanu Sharma? 20-year-old daughter of Sanskrit teacher from Hansi wins World Championship wrestling medal on debut
In her bronze medal bout, Tanu Sharma secured her place on the podium with a hard-fought 9-5 victory over USA's Precious Rosanna Bell in the third-place play-off.
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