Manisha Bhanwala Makes History as First Indian Woman Wrestling World Champion
TL;DR
- Manisha Bhanwala overcame a 0-6 deficit against USA's Abigail Nette to secure the gold medal at the Wrestling World Championships in Astana.
- She became the first Indian woman to win a gold at the World Championships and the first Indian overall to claim gold since 2010.
- At 29 years old, she is the oldest among the 24 Indians to medal at the World Championships.
- She dedicated the historic victory to her late father, who introduced her to the sport.
Competing in the 59kg category at Barys Arena in Astana, Manisha Bhanwala faced a daunting 0-6 deficit against American wrestler Abigail Nette during the final. Capitalizing on an opponent's lapse and executing a late takedown, the 29-year-old Indian turned the match around to win 8-6.
National coach Virender Kumar noted that staff and the athlete had analyzed Nette's tendency to fatigue in the later stages of a match. Training scenarios involving deep deficits prepared Bhanwala to mount her comeback during the closing minutes.
Following her triumph, Bhanwala wore a special T-shirt bearing the photograph of her late father, Suresh, who initially introduced her to wrestling. Looking ahead, she aims to transition to the 57kg category with her sights set on the upcoming Olympic cycle.
Why It Matters
This historic victory marks a major milestone for Indian wrestling on the global stage, ending a lengthy gold-medal drought for the nation at the World Championships. For the diaspora and fans following Indian athletics, Bhanwala's resilience in overcoming a significant deficit highlights the intense dedication and rigorous training behind international sporting success as athletes look toward future competitions like the LA 2028 Olympics.
Oct 31, 2026 · Updated 10/31/2026, 8:18:27 AM · Reported with: Times of India Sports
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Times of India Sports — 'Sher ki tarah jhapatta': How Manisha overturned 0-6 deficit to win gold at WorldsUp next · Sports
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