Sports
Manisha Bhanwala wins India first women wrestling world gold
Livemint·
Manisha Bhanwala beat American Abigail Nette 8-6 in the 59kg freestyle final at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana. The 29-year-old became India's first female senior world champion and the second Indian after Sushil Kumar in 2010. She trailed 6-0 before recovering on Friday. India finished with four women's freestyle medals: one gold, two silvers and a bronze.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Bhanwala is eyeing the Olympic 57kg class even though 59kg is not on the Games programme.
- She said the Wrestling Federation of India backed her and would continue to do so.
- A Sports Authority of India interaction on Sunday carried her comments on idols and training.
What's Happening
- It was her first senior Worlds podium in a fourth appearance at the championships.
- She had exited the 2026 Asian Games in the quarterfinals against Japan's Akari Fujinami.
- She cited Aryna Sabalenka, Sushil Kumar and Cristiano Ronaldo among her idols.
Path From Asian Title to Worlds
- Bhanwala won the Asian title last year before the Astana gold.
- She said she wrote World Champion after every practice session in her diaries.
- She has moved across weight classes and now trains with Los Angeles Olympic plans in view.
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