From 6–0 Down to World Champion: Manisha Bhanwala Makes Wrestling History for India

Two Indian women had already reached a final in Astana that week, and both had come away with silver. When Manisha Bhanwala walked out for the 59 kg final on 30 October, the wait for India's first women's world wrestling title was still on. Within the first period she trailed 6–0. When the bout ended, the gold medal was hers.

How the final turned around

Her opponent, the USA's Abigail Nette, started fast. Nette scored four points with an early throw, India's video review went against them for a fifth, and a caution made it 6–0. Seconds before the interval, a stepout finally got Manisha off the mark.

The second period was a different bout. A takedown, plus a point when the American corner lost its own challenge, brought her to 6–4. A gut-wrench turn levelled the score at 6–6, though Nette still led on criteria. With time running out, Manisha forced one more takedown to go 8–6 up, and held on.

Her route to the final included a 6–2 opening win over Canada's Laurence Beauregard and a semi-final victory against Bolortuya Khurelkhuu of Mongolia.

A first for Indian women

Before Astana, the top step of the podium at the senior women's Worlds had never gone to India. Across men and women, India had only one senior world champion in wrestling before her: Sushil Kumar, at 66 kg in 2010.

For Manisha, a former Asian champion, the win was also personal. United World Wrestling reports that she took a photo of her late father to the final, and that the gold fulfilled his wish. "Today that dream has come true," she said afterwards.

India's best women's Worlds yet

Her gold completed a record haul for India's women in Astana:

• Gold: Manisha Bhanwala, 59 kg
• Silver: Neelam Sirohi, 50 kg, and Kajal Dhochak, 76 kg
• Bronze: Tanu Sharma, 72 kg

Until this year, India's women had never won more than two medals at a single World Championships; they managed two in 2012 and again in 2021. Overall, that was good for fourth place in the medal count, with India fifth on team points.

What this means for you

• Share it with your daughters: Manisha hopes her win will help the next wave of Indian girls stay calm when they reach the biggest stage. It's a great story for any young athlete, in any sport.
• Follow the next chapter: she has said she wants to win the world title again next year in Las Vegas, this time at 57 kg, the Olympic weight. Results and live coverage appear on United World Wrestling's website.
• Celebrate together: wins like this are what our Chak de India! page is for. Manisha's gold has just been added to the 2026 list.

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Sources: United World Wrestling, IANS – the final, IANS – India's medal haul, Outlook India