Manisha Bhanwala becomes first Indian woman to win World wrestling gold
Manisha Bhanwala wins 59kg final in Astana, marking India's best-ever performance at the World wrestling championships.
By Spark News Desk · · India
Manisha Bhanwala defeated USA’s Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 in the 59kg final at the World wrestling championships in Astana to become the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the event.
The 29-year-old Haryana wrestler overcame a 0-6 deficit in the final to secure the win. This is the second time an Indian wrestler has won a World title, following Sushil Kumar’s success in 2010.
Alongside Manisha’s gold, Neelam Sirohi and Kajal Dhochak won silver, and Tanu Sharma won bronze, helping India finish fourth in the women’s section with their best-ever performance.
Why it matters
Manisha’s victory in a non-Olympic weight class could influence her Olympic ambitions for 2028 and signal a rising trend in Indian women’s wrestling.
Sources
- Carrick says there are 'no issues' with captain Fernandes — BBC Sport
- Manisha wins historic World title — The Hindu
Written by the Spark News Desk with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.