Manisha Bhanwala Turns 6-0 Deficit Into Historic Wrestling Gold

At 6-0 down, Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala faced a final that seemed to be slipping away. She had lost a challenge and been cautioned, while American Abigail Nette controlled the opening period. Then Bhanwala scored seven points in a row to win 8-6 and take gold in the 59kg final at the World Championships in Astana on Friday, October 30. She became the first Indian woman to win a world wrestling title. ^1,5

The seven-point run began with a takedown after Nette attacked. The American team challenged the call and lost, giving Bhanwala another point and a chance to wrestle from the ground. She used a gut wrench to tie the score at 6-6, then scored again to take the lead and held on with 27 seconds left. Indian coach Virender Dahiya later said the team had planned to stay close to Nette and make the bout last, believing the American would tire after five minutes. ^8,10

That plan helped turn a comeback into a milestone for Indian wrestling. Before Bhanwala, Anshu Malik’s silver in 2021 was the best result by an Indian woman at the championships. Bhanwala is also only the second Indian wrestler to win a world title, after Sushil Kumar took men’s 66kg gold in 2010. Her 59kg class is not an Olympic event. The wider women’s campaign also brought silver medals for Neelam Sirohi at 50kg and Kajal Dhochak at 76kg, plus bronze for Tanu Sharma at 72kg. ^2,5,12

Those four medals made this India’s best-ever showing by women at the championships, surpassing the previous best of one silver and one bronze in 2021. The team’s three finalists also marked a first for Indian women at the event. Bhanwala had competed at 57kg at the Asian Games before moving up to 59kg for the championships. The Astana tournament has now ended for the women’s team with one gold, two silvers and one bronze. ^4,12