Historic Victory: Manisha Bhanwala Becomes India's First Female Gold Medalist at Wrestling World Championships

In a groundbreaking achievement, Manisha Bhanwala has become the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Wrestling World Championships. Her remarkable comeback victory in the women's 59kg final against Abigail Nette not only highlights her skill but also marks a significant milestone for Indian women's wrestling. This event saw three Indian women reach the finals, showcasing the growing prowess of female wrestlers in the country. Discover more about Manisha's inspiring journey and the historic context of her victory.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 30, 2026, 20:11 IST

Manisha Bhanwala Makes History in Wrestling

Astana: On Friday, Manisha Bhanwala made history by becoming the first Indian woman to secure a gold medal at the Wrestling World Championships. She is only the second Indian wrestler to achieve this milestone, following Sushil Kumar, who won the men's 66kg title in 2010.

Manisha triumphed in the women's 59kg category, pulling off an impressive comeback to win 8-6 against American wrestler Abigail Nette in the final.

Despite being down 0-6, she displayed remarkable resilience and skill to overcome the Pan American champion, marking a significant moment for Indian women's wrestling.

This victory highlights a remarkable achievement for Indian women in wrestling, as it is the first time three Indian female wrestlers reached the gold medal matches in the same World Championships edition.

Earlier, Neelam Sirohi (50kg) and Kajal Dhochak (76kg) both earned silver medals after finishing as runners-up in their respective finals, while Tanmu Sharma secured a bronze medal.

Manisha advanced to the final after a commanding semifinal win over Kazakhstan's Altyn Shagayeva.