Manisha Bhanwala Makes History with Gold at World Wrestling Championship

Astana, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala showcased her incredible resilience by bouncing back from a 0-6 deficit to win a gold medal in the women’s 59 kg category at the Senior World Wrestling Championship held in Astana, Kazakhstan. This victory marks her as the first Indian woman to clinch a gold medal at this prestigious event.

Reflecting on her win, Manisha attributed her success to years of rigorous training with her coaches, which prepared her for challenging match situations. Despite falling behind against Abigail Neto in the final, she felt no mental pressure, thanks to her extensive preparation for such scenarios.

“During practice, our coaches create situations where we need to score points within 30 seconds. I have been working on this for a long time, and it helped me turn the match around. There was no mental pressure,” she explained during a media interaction organized by SAI on Sunday.

The 23-year-old also discussed her disappointment at the Asian Games, where she failed to secure a medal in the women’s 57 kg category. However, she quickly shifted her focus to the World Championship, which was set to take place just ten days later. “I didn’t expect to return from the Asian Games without a medal. I was confident in my training and felt I would win. I was very disappointed, but I chose not to dwell on it and believed in what was ahead,” she shared.

With only ten days before the World Championship, Manisha dedicated herself to addressing her weaknesses. She opted to compete in the 59 kg category, believing it would be challenging to manage her weight and recover in time for the 57 kg category after the two competitions were so close together.

Looking towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Manisha plans to focus on the 57 kg category for upcoming qualification events next year, as the 59 kg category is not part of the Olympic program. “I want to participate in the 57 kg category for the Los Angeles qualifiers next year,” she stated.

She emphasized the importance of participating in four ranking series events scheduled for 2027, as they will aid her preparation for the Olympic qualification events. “Competing in these ranking series is crucial for us. It will provide valuable learning experiences that will make the Los Angeles qualifiers easier,” she noted.

Manisha also acknowledged the support she has received from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which she joined in 2024. The financial assistance and opportunities to participate in international training camps have been pivotal for her development. “Through TOPS, we receive monthly pocket money, which is essential for athletes. Many things are expensive, and my family cannot always afford them. For instance, when we attend foreign camps, TOPS helps with our travel, allowing us to practice with international athletes, which boosts our confidence and helps us learn,” she explained.

Despite her lack of success at the Asian Games, TOPS encouraged her to focus on the upcoming Olympics. “I joined TOPS in 2024, and they have supported me immensely. Even after not winning a medal at the Asian Games, they motivated me to concentrate on Los Angeles. TOPS provides everything I need, and I am grateful for their support,” she added.

Comparing the Asian Games and the World Championship, Manisha noted that both competitions feature strong opponents, making it difficult to determine which is more challenging. “Asia has strong wrestlers, and so does the rest of the world. It’s hard to compare. Both competitions attract top talent, but European wrestlers tend to have an edge globally, while Asian competitions showcase the best from Asian countries,” she remarked.

India secured a total of four medals at the World Championship, including Manisha’s historic gold, along with two silver and one bronze medal.