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Manisha was trailing 0-6 but mounted a tremendous comeback, showing nerves of steel to trump the Pam American champion to end India’s wait for a woman world champion in wrestling.
Manisha Bhanwala wins gold medal for India at world’s. (Picture Credit: Instagram)
Manisha Bhanwala scripted history on Friday by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Wrestling World Championships and only the second wrestler from the country to achieve the feat after Sushil Kumar, who claimed the men’s 66kg title in 2010.
Manisha clinched the women’s 59kg gold with a sensational come-from behind 8-6 victory in the final against American Abigail Nette.
Manisha was trailing 0-6 but mounted a tremendous comeback, showing nerves of steel to trump the Pam American champion to end India’s long wait for a woman world champion in wrestling.
Her triumph capped a historic campaign for Indian women’s wrestling, with three Indian women reaching the gold medal bouts in the same edition of the World Championships for the first time.
Neelam Sirohi (50kg) and Kajal Dhochak (76kg) had settled for silver on Thursday, but Manisha ensured that India would not return without a gold, pulling off one of the most memorable comebacks.
The final was a test of Manisha’s character as much as her wrestling skills.
Nette came out aggressively, launching a right-leg attack before securing a tight grip and lifting Manisha’s leg to gain control.
The Indian fought desperately for nearly 30 seconds but was eventually thrown from near the edge of the mat, conceding a four-pointer.
Manisha’s corner challenged the decision, but the review went against India, confirming that the Indian had landed in a danger position. The failed challenge gifted the American another point.
With Nette leading 5-0, Manisha tried to push her opponent out of the mat, but the American cleverly circled away. Manisha was subsequently handed caution, taking the score to 6-0 in Nette’s favour.
Manisha managed a push-out point before the first period ended with the American firmly in control.
But the Indian had other ideas.
Coming out with renewed determination in the second period, Manisha turned the contest on its head with a remarkable seven-point burst.
When Nette attempted another leg attack, Manisha slipped behind her to execute a takedown. The American corner challenged the decision, arguing that the referee had blown the whistle to stop the action, but lost the review, earning Manisha an additional point.
Nette was then put in a par terre position, and Manisha made full use of the opportunity, executing a gut wrench to level the score at 6-6.
The American still held the advantage on criteria, but Manisha was now in complete command. She found another scoring opportunity to execute a two-pointer and surge ahead 8-6.
With just 27 seconds remaining, the Indian defended with everything she had against a tiring Nette, refusing to surrender her advantage.
When the final whistle sounded, Manisha had done what no Indian woman had managed before.
Indian wrestling had its first woman world champion. She jumped with joy, bowed and kissed the mat for presenting her with the best memory of her life.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Ask News18Manisha Bhanwala scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Wrestling World Championships, clinching the 59kg title with an 8-6 victory over Abigail Nette.
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Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli…Read More
October 30, 2026, 7:35 PM IST
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