Manisha Bhanwala became the first Indian woman to win gold at the Senior World Wrestling Championships on 30 October 2026. She won the women’s 59kg title in Astana, Kazakhstan, defeating Abigail Elizabeth Nette of the USA 8–6 in the final.
India’s World Championship Medals
The 29-year-old wrestler from Rohtak, Haryana, overturned a 0–6 deficit to win the final. She is the second Indian wrestler to claim a senior world title, after Sushil Kumar in 2010. Her victory ended India’s 39-year wait for a women’s gold at the championships.
The 59kg class is not an Olympic weight category. Bhanwala’s gold was one of four medals won by India in women’s freestyle wrestling at the 2026 championships; the other medals were two silver and one bronze.
Important Facts for Exams
- Championship programme: United World Wrestling organises the championships, which include men’s Greco-Roman and freestyle events and women’s freestyle.
- Leg techniques: Freestyle permits wrestlers to use their own or their opponent’s legs in attack and defence, unlike Greco-Roman wrestling.
