Manisha Bhanwala: The 29-year-old who ended India’s wait for a women’s wrestling world title

For the 29-year-old Manisha Bhanwala, October 31, 2026, will remain etched in her memory forever. The Haryana wrestler scripted history at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana, defeating American Abigail Nette in the 59kg freestyle final to become India’s first woman world champion in wrestling. Manisha wins historic World title storyline 1 The achievement was no ordinary feat by an Indian wrestler, only second to claim a senior world crown after twice Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, who clinched the men’s 66kg freestyle title in 2010.