Sport · Singapore Bureau
Bhanwala makes history as India's first women's wrestling world champion
Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala has claimed a historic victory at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana, becoming her country's first female world champion in wrestling. The 59kg freestyle competitor staged a remarkable comeback to defeat American rival Abigail Nette.
LSN Singapore ·
Bhanwala secured India's maiden women's wrestling world title on Friday with an 8-6 victory over Nette in a thrilling final at the World Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan's capital. Facing a daunting 6-0 deficit at one stage, the Indian wrestler demonstrated resilience and tactical acumen to overturn the scoreline and clinch the gold medal in the 59kg freestyle category.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Indian women's wrestling on the global stage. With competitive wrestling still a relatively emerging sport for women in India compared to traditional combat disciplines, Bhanwala's world championship triumph represents a breakthrough achievement for the nation's wrestling programme.
Bhanwala's comeback performance at the prestigious championship underscores the growing competitiveness and depth of talent within Indian wrestling. The medal adds to India's wrestling legacy, which has been predominantly shaped by male wrestlers in recent decades.