Who is Manisha Bhanwala? All you need to know about India's first ever women's world champion
Manisha registered a remarkable comeback from 0-6 down to win the title
Indian wrestling witnessed a historic moment on October 30, 2026, as Manisha Bhanwala became the country’s first ever women’s world champion at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The 29-year-old secured the gold medal in the women’s 59kg freestyle category, defeating American wrestler Abigail Nette 8-6 in a thrilling final. What made the victory even more remarkable was the manner in which she achieved it, recovering from a 0-6 deficit to claim the world title.
Her triumph ended India’s long wait for a women’s world champion and established her name among the country’s most successful wrestlers.
Related: Manisha Bhanwala becomes India’s first-ever women’s wrestling world champion
Who is Manisha Bhanwala?
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Manisha Bhanwala is an Indian freestyle wrestler from Siwaha village in Haryana’s Jind district. Born on February 10, 1997, she began her wrestling journey in 2013.
Interestingly, wrestling was not initially part of her career plans. Her father took her to an akhada to help her lose weight and improve her fitness. What started as a fitness activity gradually developed into a professional sporting career.
She trained under coach Mandeep Singh at Sir Chhotu Ram Stadium and later benefited from the guidance of Japanese coach Kosei Akaishi at the Inspire Institute of Sport.
Over the years, Bhanwala competed in several weight categories, including 57kg, 59kg, 60kg, 62kg and 65kg, gradually establishing herself on the international circuit.
Manisha Bhanwala’s wrestling career and major achievements
Bhanwala’s rise began at the junior level when she won gold at the 2016 Cadet World Championships. She also claimed gold at the 2016 South Asian Games in the 60kg category.
In 2018, she added another international title by winning gold at the World Military Games in China.
At the senior level, she secured bronze medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Her breakthrough continental performance came in 2025, when she won gold in the 62kg category at the Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan.
Also Read: Top 10 greatest Indian wrestlers of all-time
That final also demonstrated her ability to fight back under pressure. She overturned a 2-7 deficit to defeat North Korea’s Kim Ok-Ju 8-7 and claim the title.
Bhanwala also made headlines at the national level by defeating Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik during selection trials.
How Manisha Bhanwala became India’s first women’s world champion
At the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Bhanwala competed in the 59kg category and produced a series of impressive performances to reach the final.
She defeated Kazakhstan’s Altyn Shagayeva 10-0 in the semi-final, setting up a gold medal bout against the United States’ Abigail Nette.
The final appeared to be slipping away when Nette established a 6-0 lead. However, Bhanwala responded with a determined comeback, scoring eight points to turn the contest around and win 8-6.
Related: List of Indian medalists at World Wrestling Championships
With this victory, she became the first Indian woman to win gold at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. She also became only the second Indian wrestler to win a senior world title after Sushil Kumar, who claimed the men’s 66kg freestyle gold in 2010.
Her triumph capped India’s best-ever campaign in women’s wrestling at the senior World Championships. Neelam Sirohi (50kg) and Kajal Dhochak (76kg) won silver, while Tanu Sharma secured bronze, taking India’s women’s medal tally to four.
Manisha Bhanwala’s target for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Despite winning the world title in the 59kg category, Bhanwala’s long-term focus is on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
She is targeting a move to the 57kg category, which is an Olympic weight class. Her experience across different categories could prove valuable as she prepares for the next Olympic cycle.
Having already won titles at the cadet, continental and senior world levels, Bhanwala has established herself as one of India’s leading female wrestlers.
Who is Manisha Bhanwala?
Manisha Bhanwala is an Indian women’s freestyle wrestler, who scripted history as India’s first women’s wrestling world champion. Prior to that, she also clinched gold at the 2025 Asian Championships and the South Asian Games.
Who did Manisha Bhanwala defeat to become world champion in women’s 59kg category at the World Wrestling Championships 2026?
Manisha fought back from 0-6 behind to beat USA’s Abigail Nette 8-6 and be crowned the world champion.
What record does Manisha Bhanwala hold in women’s wrestling?
Manisha is India’s first-ever women’s wrestling world champion and only second from the country [male or female] to win the Worlds title.
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