Manisha Bhanwala wins historic gold at World Wrestling Championships

Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala has become the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. Competing in the 59kg freestyle category in Astana, Kazakhstan, Bhanwala secured her victory by defeating USA’s Abigail Elizabeth Nette with an 8-6 score in the final.

Bhanwala staged a significant comeback during the match, overcoming an initial 0-6 deficit. She noted that her disappointment from missing a medal at the Asian Games earlier this year served as motivation for her intensive training period leading up to the championships.

Following her achievement, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam felicitated the wrestler in Chandigarh. Bhanwala, who hails from the Jind district of Haryana, indicated she is now looking toward the 57kg division in preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics.