Manisha Bhanwala becomes India’s first woman wrestling world champion
Manisha Bhanwala has made Indian wrestling history. The 29-year-old became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships, taking the women’s 59kg title in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Friday, 30 October.
She beat Abigail Nette of the United States 8-6 in the final, after falling 6-0 behind. Manisha fought back in the second period, levelled the score at 6-6 with a gut wrench, then scored two more points to move ahead 8-6 and held on through the final 27 seconds.
She is only the second Indian wrestler ever to win a world title, after Sushil Kumar, who won the men’s 66kg gold in 2010. Manisha reached the final after beating Canada’s Laurence Beauregard 6-2 and Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu, and she dedicated the win to her late father.
India’s President Droupadi Murmu congratulated her, calling the achievement a source of “immense pride and glory” for the nation.
Why it matters
Indian women had come close before — Anshu Malik won silver in 2021 — but no woman had ever won gold at the World Championships. Manisha’s win breaks that barrier and caps India’s best-ever showing at the women’s event, with four medals in total.
Alongside her gold, Neelam Sirohi won silver in the 50kg category, Kajal Dhochak took silver in the 76kg category, and Tanu Sharma won bronze in the 72kg category. India finished fourth in the medal standings.
What happens next
Speaking on Saturday, Manisha said she wants her record to be broken by the next generation of Indian girls. “Records are meant to be broken,” she said, adding that she wants Indian women winning world titles to become “the norm rather than an exception”.
Her next goal is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That means moving down to the 57kg weight class, since 59kg is not an Olympic weight.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://www.connectedtoindia.com/manisha-bhanwala-becomes-indias-first-woman-wrestling-world-champion-with-a-huge-win-in-astana/ (Connected to India, 31 October 2026)
- https://ianslive.in/records-are-meant-to-be-broken-manisha-bhanwala-wants-her-historic-worlds-gold-to-pave-way-for-indian-female-wrestlers–20261031123704 (IANS, 31 October 2026)
- https://blitzindiamedia.com/news/manisha-bhanwala-world-wrestling-championship-gold/ (Blitz India, 31 October 2026)
