Manisha Bhanwala Makes History with Gold at 2026 World Wrestling Championships

Historic Achievement for Indian Wrestling

On November 1, Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala made headlines by becoming the first woman from India to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships 2026. Reflecting on her remarkable achievement, she stated, "some individuals are destined to make history."

Bhanwala was warmly welcomed at the Delhi Airport following her triumphant performance in Kazakhstan on Friday.

She achieved this historic milestone with a stunning comeback in the 59kg final held in Astana. In a fiercely contested match against Abigail Elizabeth Nette from the USA, Bhanwala overcame a 0-6 deficit to clinch an 8-6 victory, marking a significant moment for Indian women's wrestling.

In an interview, Bhanwala expressed that her achievement was hard to articulate, noting how she turned the challenging start of the final to her advantage by capitalizing on her opponent's energy expenditure. She expressed immense pride in her accomplishment.

"I can't fully convey this feeling to anyone because it's so unique. The initial attack was tough for me, but it turned into an advantage as my opponent exhausted a lot of energy. I utilized that to my benefit. Some people are meant to create history, and perhaps I am one of them, and I feel great about what I have achieved," she shared.

Looking forward, Bhanwala emphasized the importance of the upcoming year, prioritizing injury prevention and recovery.

"Next year is crucial for me. I need to stay injury-free, focus on recovery, and give my best effort," she stated.

She also expressed gratitude towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for their support, highlighting the significance of their training camps and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in her preparation.

"The Wrestling Federation of India has been instrumental in my preparation. Their support through camps and TOPS has greatly benefited us," she remarked.

Bhanwala's mother, Meena Devi, expressed immense pride in her daughter's success, celebrating the historic victory and encouraging other parents to support their daughters in pursuing their dreams.

"I am incredibly proud of my daughter; she brought home the gold from the World Wrestling Championships. We are overjoyed at home. What Manisha has achieved, other daughters can achieve too. All parents should encourage their daughters to pursue their ambitions and support them," she said.

Bhanwala's gold medal capped off a successful campaign for the Indian women's team at the 2026 World Championships, where they secured a total of four medals. Alongside Bhanwala's gold in the 59kg category, Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi earned silver medals, while Tanu Sharma took home bronze in the 72kg category.