Manisha Bhanwala creates history, becomes first Indian woman to win gold at Wrestling World Championships

Manisha Bhanwala scripted a landmark chapter in Indian sporting history on Friday, October 30, 2026, by becoming the first woman from the country to claim a gold medal at the Senior Wrestling World Championships after a  thrilling victory in the 59kg final in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Competing in a high-stakes title clash against USA's Abigail Elizabeth Nette, Manisha displayed immense grit and tactical brilliance to emerge victorious after a daunting comeback (0-6) and went on win the bout  8-6 win in the women's 59 kg freestyle final, shattering the glass ceiling for Indian women's wrestling.

Before Manisha's monumental triumph, India had never won a gold medal in women's wrestling at the global showpiece. She finally crossed the hurdle that had previously eluded Anshu Malik in 2021, as well as her current teammates Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi, who both settled for silver medals earlier in this edition.

Manisha's historic gold brings a fitting, glorious end to a spectacular campaign for the Indian women's contingent, which signs off with an impressive haul of four medals.

This victory also makes Bhanwala only the second Indian wrestler overall to win a senior World Championships gold, after Sushil Kumar’s triumph in the men’s 66 kg in 2010.  

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Bhanwala's Path To The Final

Manisha Bhanwala’s path to the final was commanding. She pinned Canada’s Laurence Beauregard, beat Mongolian Olympian Bolortuya Khurelkhuu 6-0, and then dominated host-nation favourite Altyn Shagayeva 10-0 by fall in the semi-final.  

She competed in the non-Olympic 59 kg category after returning without a medal from the recent Asian Games in the 57 kg class, a tactical shift that paid off handsomely.

While ace Indian wrestlers like Geeta Phogat, Babita Kumari, Vinesh Phogat, Pooja Dhanda, and Antim Panghal have previously mounted the World Championship podium with bronze and silver finishes, the top step had remained elusive.

Bhanwala’s triumph shatters that glass ceiling, delivering the crowning achievement Indian women's wrestling has chased for decades.

From Rohtak's Akharas To Top Of The World

Hailing from Rohtak district in Haryana, the heartland of Indian wrestling, Bhanwala's road to the summit was forged through relentless perseverance. Having originally taken up the sport at a young age to focus on fitness, she developed into a formidable technician on the mat.

Bhanwala had already established her credentials on the international circuit, amassing multiple continental podiums including a gold medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships.

However, the World Championship title elevates her into the upper echelon of global combat sports, serving as a defining chapter for Indian athletics and setting a new benchmark for the next generation of wrestlers across the nation.

Result Of Other Indian Wrestlers

In the men's freestyle competition, Vicky Hooda's campaign came to a close in the 97kg repechage round. Going up against Iranian heavyweight Hassan Yazdani, Vicky was handed a 0-10 defeat by technical superiority.

Meanwhile, the Indian men's freestyle campaign in the 61kg, 70kg, 86kg, and 125kg categories also concluded in the preliminary stages, with the grapplers bowing out before Friday's semi-finals.

India's Final Medal Tally At 2026 World Championships

Women's Wrestling (4 Medals)

Gold (1): Manisha Bhanwala (59kg)

Silver (2): Kajal Dhochak, Neelam Sirohi

Bronze (1): Tanu Sharma (72kg)