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Manisha Bhanwala wins India’s first women’s world gold

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Manisha Bhanwala captured gold in the women’s 59 kg at the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana.
She defeated USA’s Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 after trailing 0-6 early in the final.
Bhanwala’s victory gave India its first women’s world wrestling title and a total of four women’s medals.
India’s women’s team also earned silvers (Neelam Sirohi, Kajal Dhochak) and bronze (Tanu Sharma) in other weight classes.

History

In 2004 the IOC added women’s freestyle wrestling to the Athens Games, awarding 18 gold medals and giving the sport Olympic legitimacy. After wrestling was briefly dropped in 2013, United World Wrestling’s reforms restored it for 2020, cementing the new women’s program. The 2026 World Championships win by India’s Manisha Bhanwala reflects the growth sparked by that 2004 milestone.

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In 2004 the IOC added women’s freestyle wrestling to the Athens Games, awarding 18 gold medals and giving the sport Olympic legitimacy. After wrestling was briefly dropped in 2013, United World Wrestling’s reforms restored it for 2020, cementing the new women’s program. The 2026 World Championships win by India’s Manisha Bhanwala reflects the growth sparked by that 2004 milestone.

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