Manisha Bhanwala becomes first Indian woman to win World championship gold in Astana

Manisha Bhanwala became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a World championship gold in Astana, an achievement reported on October 31, 2026. The 29-year-old produced a come-from-behind 8-6 victory over USA’s Abigail Elizabeth Nette in the final.

An ardent Christiano Ronaldo fan who says she values time like her idol, Manisha bounced back quickly after a frustrating Asian Games outing to target the World title. She decided to contest at 59kg rather than the Olympic 57kg to avoid an extra round of weight cutting; at a virtual press conference organised by the Wrestling Federation of India on Saturday she quoted, “It was not my day at the Asian Games. Our coach (Virender Dahiya) told me that something big was awaiting me. Since I had less time, I chose 59kg.”

Hailing from Siwaha village in Jind district of Haryana, Manisha joined 2010 World champion Sushil Kumar in an exclusive club by claiming the senior World gold. The final against Abigail Elizabeth Nette ended 8-6 after a comeback from Manisha.

Manisha paid an emotional tribute to her late father Suresh by posing with a T-shirt bearing his photograph alongside her Worlds belt after the victory. Reflecting on the personal significance of the title she said, “I started wrestling late. So, I couldn’t take the belt as a junior or sub-junior. Now I have the belt,” and her performance helped India finish fifth in the women’s team rankings.

The 29-year-old has won international medals across four weight categories — 57kg, 59kg, 62kg and 65kg — and said she does not feel threatened by other Indian wrestlers in 57kg. “There’s nothing called old or young. It’s all in the mind. You must take care of your diet and sleep,” she said.

Manisha said she welcomed the competition she faced at 59kg because it included athletes who she expected might move to 57kg. “Some wrestlers who would switch to 57kg were here. Competing with them was an advantage,” she said.

Eager to make her mark at 57kg at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Manisha framed the World title at 59kg as part of her preparation for that objective.