Astana [Kazakhstan], October 30: Manisha Bhanwala has made a significant mark in Indian sports by becoming the first woman from India to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships.
She achieved this remarkable feat on Friday by triumphing in the 59kg final against Abigail Elizabeth Nette from the USA. After facing a challenging start with a score of 0-6, Manisha showcased her resilience and strategic skills, ultimately winning the match 8-6. This victory breaks new ground for Indian women’s wrestling, as highlighted in a press release from the championships.
A New Milestone in Women’s Wrestling
Prior to Manisha’s historic win, India had not secured a gold medal in women’s wrestling at this prestigious event. She overcame the barrier that had previously hindered Anshu Malik in 2021, as well as her teammates Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi, who both earned silver medals in this year’s competition. Manisha’s gold medal caps off a remarkable performance by the Indian women’s team, which concluded the championships with a total of four medals.
Men’s Freestyle Campaign Summary
In the men’s freestyle events, Vicky Hooda’s journey ended in the 97kg repechage round, where he faced Iranian wrestler Hassan Yazdani and suffered a 0-10 defeat by technical superiority. Additionally, the Indian men’s freestyle wrestlers in the 61kg, 70kg, 86kg, and 125kg categories were eliminated in the preliminary rounds, failing to reach the semi-finals.
Tournament Medal Tally
India’s performance at the 2026 World Championships resulted in a total of four medals: Manisha Bhanwala secured a gold in the 59kg category, while Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi earned silver medals. Tanu Sharma also contributed to the medal tally with a bronze in the 72kg category.