Manisha Turns Her Father’s Dream into Reality, Creates History with World Championships Gold Medal

Manisha Bhanwala Scripts Historic World Championships Triumph, Fulfils Late Father’s Dream

Manisha Bhanwala created history at the Wrestling World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, ending India’s 39-year wait for a women’s gold medal at the prestigious competition. The 29-year-old wrestler defeated American opponent Abigail Elizabeth Nette 8-6 in the 59kg final on Friday, completing a remarkable comeback after trailing 1-6 at the end of the opening period.

Her victory marked a landmark achievement for Indian wrestling. Manisha became only the second Indian wrestler after Sushil Kumar, who won the men’s world title in 2010, to secure a World Championships gold for the country. She also became the first Indian woman to win gold at the senior Wrestling World Championships.

However, the achievement was about much more than a medal. Behind the historic victory was a story of personal tragedy, determination and an unfulfilled promise that Manisha had carried for years — making her late father proud.

A Father’s Dream Became Her Biggest Motivation
Manisha’s wrestling journey was closely connected to her father, Suresh, who introduced her to the sport and encouraged her to pursue it professionally.

In 2022, while travelling to Mongolia for the Asian Championships, Manisha received the devastating news that her father had passed away. The loss came at a time when she was preparing for an important international competition.

The Wrestling Federation of India offered her the opportunity to return home, allowing her to withdraw from the tournament and spend time with her family. However, Manisha decided to continue competing.

Her father’s advice to complete whatever she started remained firmly in her mind. Despite the emotional setback, she carried on with the competition, determined to honour his encouragement and belief in her abilities.

Her coach, Mandeep Saini, recalled how difficult the period had been for the wrestler. He said losing her father deeply affected her because he had been the person who introduced her to wrestling and supported her ambitions from the beginning.

For Manisha, continuing the sport was also a way of fulfilling her father’s dream.

Coach Mandeep Saini Recalls Years of Hard Work
At Chhotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak, where Manisha spent years developing her wrestling skills, her historic achievement has brought immense pride to her coaching team.

Coach Mandeep Saini has witnessed her journey from a young trainee to a world champion. According to him, the gold medal is the result of years of discipline, dedication and persistence.

Speaking to IndiaToday.in, Saini said that winning medals at the World Championships, Asian Games and Olympics is every wrestler’s ambition. He added that the team’s happiness would have doubled if Manisha could bring home the world title.

This was her fourth appearance at the World Championships. Having competed at the event every year since 2023 without securing a podium finish, she finally converted her experience into a historic victory.

From Fitness Training to International Wrestling Glory
Manisha’s association with wrestling began around 2012-13 in Haryana. Initially, the idea was to improve her fitness after her father encouraged her to attend a training camp. Gradually, her interest developed into a serious commitment to the sport.

She began her early training in Jind district before moving to Rohtak, where she continued practising at Chhotu Ram Stadium.

Saini said her greatest strength has always been her attitude towards training. Her commitment, willingness to work hard and ability to maintain discipline helped her overcome several challenges.

Injuries, disappointing results and the pressure of international competition tested her resolve. However, she gradually developed the mental strength required to compete against the world’s best wrestlers.

The loss of her father was among the most painful moments of her life, but she continued pursuing the ambition they had shared.

Age and Weight Changes Did Not Stop Her
At 29, Manisha has considerable experience on the international circuit. While younger wrestlers continue to emerge, her coach believes age should not determine how long she can remain competitive.

Saini pointed out that Manisha continues to train with the same intensity as younger athletes. Her experience has also helped her identify weaknesses and understand the improvements needed in her technique.

Changing weight categories has been another major challenge in her career.
She won gold in the 62kg category at the Asian Championships in Amman in 2025 and competed in the 57kg category at the 2026 Asian Games. However, her campaign at the Asian Games ended in the quarter-finals against Japan’s Akari Fujinami, the Paris Olympics gold medallist.

At the World Championships in Astana, she competed in the 59kg category, which is not an Olympic weight division.

Her transition between categories required considerable changes in conditioning, training and weight management. Saini explained that reducing body weight while maintaining strength and performance was particularly demanding.

The support of the Inspire Institute of Sport and technical guidance from Japanese coach Kosei Akaishi also contributed to her preparation for international competition.

Seven Points in Three Minutes Seal Historic Gold
Manisha’s road to the final featured a series of impressive performances.

She began with a 6-2 victory over Canada’s Laurence Beauregard in the pre-quarter-finals. In the quarter-finals, she defeated Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu 6-0 to advance to the last four.

Her semi-final performance was even more convincing, as she defeated Shagayeva by fall in front of the home crowd to book her place in the gold medal match.

The final against America’s Abigail Elizabeth Nette proved to be her toughest challenge.

Manisha was trailing 1-6 at the end of the first period and needed an extraordinary effort to turn the contest around. She responded under pressure, scoring seven points in the final three minutes to register an 8-6 victory and claim the world title.

The comeback demonstrated the determination and fighting spirit that had helped her overcome years of setbacks.

India’s Women’s Wrestling Team Also Makes an Impact
Manisha’s gold was part of an encouraging campaign for India’s women wrestlers in Astana.

Neelam Sirohi reached the final in the 50kg category, while Kajal Dhochak also fought her way into the title bout in the 76kg division. Both secured silver medals.

Manisha’s victory ensured that India finished the competition with a historic women’s world title.

She also became only the fourth Indian woman to reach a World Championships final, following Anshu Malik’s achievement in 2021.

For Manisha, however, the biggest reward goes beyond records and medals. Her father, who introduced her to wrestling and stood behind her ambitions, could not witness the defining moment of her career.

But the promise she carried after his death remained alive through every difficult training session, every setback and every unsuccessful World Championships campaign.

In Astana, Manisha finally achieved what they had dreamed of together. Her historic gold medal became a tribute to the father whose belief helped shape her journey.