Manisha Bhanwala becomes India's first-ever women's wrestling world champion
(Courtesy :Â WFI)
Manisha is only the second Indian after Sushil Kumar to win gold at the World Championships
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.
Competing in a high-stakes title clash against USA’s Abigail Elizabeth Nette, Manisha displayed immense grit and tactical brilliance to emerge victorious after a daunting comeback (0-6) and went on win the bout 8-6 win, shattering the glass ceiling for Indian women’s wrestling.
Before Manisha’s monumental triumph, India had never won a gold medal in women’s wrestling at the global showpiece.
She finally crossed the hurdle that had previously eluded Anshu Malik in 2021, as well as her current teammates Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi, who both settled for silver medals earlier in this edition.
Wrestling in the final, Manisha got dumped for four points by Nette but India challenged that call only to lose and give another point to Nette who now led 5-0. A caution against Manisha extended Nette’s lead to 6-0. But Manisha got a stepout before the break to get one point on board.
But Manisha then mounted a comeback first with a takedown against Nette which the United States challenged saying that the referee whistled to stop the bout. The challenge was lost, giving one more point to Manisha and position in par terre.
From 6-4, Manisha managed to make to turn Nette using a gut-wrench for two points and tried holding Nette for the fall but failed to do so.
Nette then went on trying to defend her 6-6 criteria lead but Manisha scored a pressure takedown and took a 8-6 lead that she defended to win a historic gold medal.
Manisha is second world champion for India in wrestling after Sushil KUMAR (IND) who won the 66kg gold medal at the 2010 World Championships.
Manisha’s historic gold brings a fitting, glorious end to a spectacular campaign for the Indian women’s contingent, which signs off with an impressive haul of four medals.
Also Read: Kajal Dhochak, Neelam Sirohi win historic silvers; join Anshu Malik in elite list
In the men’s freestyle competition, Vicky Hooda’s campaign came to a close in the 97kg repechage round. Going up against Iranian heavyweight Hassan Yazdani, Vicky was handed a 0-10 defeat by technical superiority.
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s freestyle campaign in the 61kg, 70kg, 86kg, and 125kg categories also concluded in the preliminary stages, with the grapplers bowing out before Friday’s semi-finals.
India’s Final Medal Tally at the World Wrestling Championships 2026:
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- Gold (1): Manisha Bhanwala (59kg)
- Silver (2): Kajal Dhochak, Neelam Sirohi
- Bronze (1): Tanu Sharma (72kg)
How did Manisha Bhanwala perform at the World Wrestling Championships 2026?
Manisha clinched the title in women’s 59kg by defeating USA’s Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 in the final.
Why is Manisha Bhanwala’s win so significant for Indian wrestling?
Manisha has become India’s first-ever women’s wrestling world champion and only second Indian after Sushil Kumar (2010) to win gold at the world championships.
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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