List of Indian medalists at World Wrestling Championships
(Courtesy : United World Wrestling)
Manisha Bhanwala has become the first Indian woman to win gold
India’s excellence in wrestling has often been showcased on the world stage. At the World Wrestling Championships, India has grown rapidly in stature over the years. Since 2018, the nation has bagged 18 medals.
Sushil Kumar (2010) and Manisha Bhanwala (2026) are India’s only gold medallists in the prestigious competition. So far, the nation has won 29 medals, including two gold, seven silver and 20 bronze.
Among these achievements, only a single medal has been achieved in the Greco-Roman wrestling category. Notably, Udey Chand holds the distinction of being the first Indian wrestler to win a medal at the esteemed World Wrestling Championships.
Chand successfully secured a bronze medal in the men’s 67kg freestyle category during the 1961 championship event held in Yokohama, Japan.
India achieved its second medal as an upgrade when Bishamber Singh clinched the country’s first silver at the World Wrestling Championships in the men’s freestyle 57kg category, held in New Delhi in 1967.
Alka Tomar achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first-ever Indian female wrestler to secure a medal at the prestigious World Wrestling Championships. Tomar’s extraordinary performance earned her a well-deserved bronze medal in the highly competitive 59kg category during the 2006 event held in Guangzhou, the People’s Republic of China.
Related: Top 10 greatest Indian wrestlers of all-time
Sushil Kumar holds the distinction of being the first Indian wrestler to have won a gold medal. On the other hand, Bajrang Punia holds the record of winning most medals for India at the World Championships, with a tally of four.
Specifically, Bajrang has earned one silver medal and three bronze medals in these prestigious competitions.
Vinesh Phogat and Antim Panghal stand out as the only two female Indian athletes to win multiple medals at the World Championships.
2019 was India’s most successful edition in terms of medals won, with the nation winning four bronze while Deepak Punia clinched silver.
List of Indian medalists at World Wrestling Championships
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| Year | Medal | Wrestler | Category |
| 1961 | Bronze | Udey Chand | Men’s Freestyle 67kg |
| 1967 | Silver | Bishambar Ali Singh | Men’s Freestyle 57kg |
| 2006 | Bronze | Alka Tomar | Women’s 59kg |
| 2009 | Bronze | Ramesh Kumar | Men’s Freestyle 74kg |
| 2010 | Gold | Sushil Kumar | Men’s Freestyle 66kg |
| 2012 | Bronze | Geeta Phogat | Women’s 55kg |
| 2012 | Bronze | Babita Phogat | Women’s 51kg |
| 2013 | Silver | Amit Kumar Dahiya | Men’s Freestyle 55kg |
| 2013 | Bronze | Bajrang Punia | Men’s Freestyle 60kg |
| 2013 | Bronze | Sandeep Tulsi Yadav | Men’s Greco-Roman 66kg |
| 2015 | Bronze | Narsingh Pancham Yadav | Men’s Freestyle 74kg |
| 2018 | Bronze | Pooja Dhanda | Women’s 57kg |
| 2018 | Silver | Bajrang Punia | Men’s Freestyle 65kg |
| 2019 | Bronze | Vinesh Phogat | Women’s 50kg |
| 2019 | Bronze | Ravi Kumar Dahiya | Men’s Freestyle 57kg |
| 2019 | Bronze | Rahul Aware | Men’s Freestyle 61kg |
| 2019 | Bronze | Bajrang Punia | Men’s Freestyle 65kg |
| 2019 | Silver | Deepak Punia | Men’s Freestyle 86kg |
| 2021 | Silver | Anshu Malik | Women’s 57kg |
| 2021 | Bronze | Sarita Mor | Women’s 59kg |
| 2022 | Bronze | Vinesh Phogat | Women’s 53kg |
| 2022 | Bronze | Bajrang Punia | Men’s Freestyle 65kg |
| 2023 | Bronze | Antim Panghal | Women’s 53kg |
| 2024 | Bronze | Mansi Ahlawat | Women’s 59kg |
| 2025 | Bronze | Antim Panghal | Women’s 53kg |
| 2026 | Silver | Neelam Sirohi | Women’s 50kg |
| 2026 | Silver | Kajal Dhochak | Women’s 76kg |
| 2026 | Bronze | Tanu Sharma | Women’s 72kg |
| 2026 | Gold | Manisha Dhanwala | Women’s 59kg |
How many medals has India won at World Wrestling Championships so far?
India has won a total of 29 medals: 2 gold, 7 silver, and 20 bronze.
Who is the first Indian wrestler to win a medal at World Wrestling Championships?
Udey Chand was the first, winning a bronze in men’s 67kg freestyle at the 1961 Championships in Yokohama, Japan.
Who is the first Indian woman to win a medal at World Wrestling Championships?
Alka Tomar became the first Indian woman medalist, winning bronze in the women’s 59kg category at the 2006 Championships in Guangzhou, China.
Who is the first Indian wrestler to win a gold medal at the World Wrestling Championships?
Sushil Kumar is the first Indian to win gold at the World Championships. He clinched gold in the men’s freestyle 66kg category at the 2010 Moscow World Championships.
Who is the first Indian woman to win gold at the World Wrestling Championships?
Manisha Dhanwala is the first-ever Indian women’s wrestling world champion. She clinched the title in women’s 59kg in the 2026 Astana edition.
How many gold medals has India won at the World Wrestling Championships?
India has won two gold medals in the World Championships—Sushil Kumar in 2010 (men’s freestyle 66kg) and Manisha Bhanwala in 2026 (women’s 59kg).
Who are India’s gold medal winners at the World Wrestling Championships?
Sushil Kumar (men’s freestyle 66kg) – 2010
Manisha Bhanwala (women’s 59kg) – 2026
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