Manisha Bhanwala felicitated by Haryana CM Saini after historic wrestling gold
Synopsis
Manisha Bhanwala's 0-6 deficit to 8-6 gold in Astana wasn't just a comeback — it was a piece of history. The 25-year-old from Jind became the first Indian woman ever to win a Senior World Wrestling Championship title, ending a pursuit that had stretched over decades. Her felicitation by Haryana's CM is a reminder of how quickly state politics aligns with a genuine breakthrough.
Key Takeaways
Manisha Bhanwala became the first Indian woman to win gold at the Senior World Wrestling Championships on 30 October in Astana, Kazakhstan .
She defeated USA's Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 in the 59 kg final after trailing 0-6 .
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam felicitated her in Chandigarh on 3 November .
India finished the Championships with four medals — 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze .
Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi won silver medals; Anshu Malik had previously come closest with a silver in 2021 .
Vicky Hooda lost to Hassan Yazdani 0-10 by technical superiority in the men's 97 kg repechage.
Wrestler Manisha Bhanwala was felicitated by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam in Chandigarh on 3 November 2026, days after she etched her name in history as the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. The ceremony recognised a triumph that ended India's long wait for a women's world champion in the sport.
A Historic Gold in Astana
Manisha, 25, hails from Siwaha village in Jind district, Haryana. On 30 October, at the Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan, she claimed the 59 kg title by defeating USA's Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 in a thrilling final. What made the win extraordinary was the manner of her comeback — she had trailed 0-6 before staging a remarkable reversal to seal the gold.
CM Saini's Tribute
Following the felicitation, Chief Minister Saini took to social media platform X to express his admiration. 'An energetic meeting took place in Chandigarh with Haryana's world champion daughter, Manisha Bhanwala, who won a gold medal at the World Wrestling Championship and gifted the country a Diwali present,' he wrote. He further praised her conduct after the victory, saying: 'Your humble demeanour after the victory and respect towards elders beautifully reflect the values and traditions of Haryana.'
India's Broader Campaign at the Championships
Manisha's gold powered India to finish the tournament with four medals — one gold, two silver, and one bronze. In the women's category, Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi each won silver medals, contributing to the country's most successful women's wrestling campaign at the Seniors. Notably, Anshu Malik had come the closest before Manisha, winning silver at the 2021 edition — making this gold the fulfilment of a five-year pursuit.
Men's Freestyle Update
In the men's freestyle competition, Vicky Hooda's campaign ended in the 97 kg repechage round. He faced Iranian heavyweight Hassan Yazdani and was handed a 0-10 defeat by technical superiority, ending his bid for a medal at this edition.
What This Means for Indian Wrestling
Manisha's breakthrough arrives at a pivotal moment for Indian women's wrestling, which has been on an upward trajectory at the international level. This is the first time India has won a senior women's world title in wrestling, a milestone that is expected to boost grassroots participation and government support for the sport in the coming years. The recognition from Haryana's top leadership underscores how such achievements translate quickly into policy and institutional backing at the state level.
Point of View
International exposure for junior women wrestlers, and transparent selection processes. Past breakthroughs in Indian combat sports have sometimes dissolved into one-cycle wonders when institutional follow-through was absent. The 0-6 comeback is the headline; the real test is whether the ecosystem around Manisha's success can replicate it.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manisha Bhanwala and what did she achieve?
Manisha Bhanwala is a 25-year-old wrestler from Siwaha village in Jind district, Haryana. On 30 October, she became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships, defeating USA's Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 in the 59 kg final in Astana, Kazakhstan.
How did Manisha Bhanwala win the gold medal?
Manisha trailed 0-6 in the final against Abigail Elizabeth Nette of the USA before staging a remarkable comeback to win 8-6. The dramatic reversal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana made her the first Indian woman to claim the title.
Why was Manisha Bhanwala felicitated by the Haryana government?
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam felicitated Manisha in Chandigarh on 3 November to honour her historic gold — India's first-ever senior women's world wrestling title. Saini described her achievement as a 'Diwali gift' to the country.
How did India perform overall at the Senior World Wrestling Championships?
India finished the Championships with four medals: one gold (Manisha Bhanwala, 59 kg), two silver (Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi), and one bronze. It was India's most successful women's wrestling campaign at the Senior Worlds.
Has any Indian woman come close to winning this title before?
Anshu Malik came the closest before Manisha, winning a silver medal at the 2021 Senior World Wrestling Championships. Manisha's 2026 gold ended a pursuit spanning several years and generations of Indian women wrestlers.
