Manisha Bhanwala Creates History as India’s First Woman Wrestling World Champion

Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala has created history by becoming the country’s first woman to win a gold medal at the World Wrestling Championships. The 29-year-old from Jind, Haryana, secured the historic title in the women’s 59kg category at the 2026 championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, defeating American wrestler Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 in a thrilling final.

Manisha produced an impressive comeback after falling behind 0-6 against her American opponent. Displaying determination and tactical awareness, she recovered from the early deficit to secure an 8-6 victory and claim the world championship gold medal. Her achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian women’s wrestling.

Behind the historic victory were years of discipline, sacrifice and preparation. Since 2022, Manisha has largely stayed away from social gatherings and attended only one wedding to concentrate on her sporting career. She has also followed a strict dietary routine, carrying homemade food during travel and avoiding restaurant meals and sweets to maintain her competition weight.

Her coach, Virender Dahiya, played an important role in preparing her for the final. After studying Nette’s previous performances, he identified the American wrestler’s declining stamina as a potential weakness. He advised Manisha to remain patient, maintain her attacking approach and take advantage of opportunities during the bout.

Manisha also dedicated her achievement to her father, Suresh Bhanwala, who introduced her to wrestling and supported her ambitions. He passed away in 2022, but his encouragement remained a major source of motivation throughout her journey. She carried his photograph and remembered his dream of seeing her become a world champion.

The victory came after a disappointing medal-less campaign at the 2026 Asian Games. Manisha returned to training immediately afterwards, focusing particularly on improving her endurance. India finished the women’s wrestling competition with four medals, including one gold, two silver and one bronze. Manisha’s historic triumph has provided a major boost to Indian women’s wrestling and established her place among the country’s leading international athletes.