Historic Gold for Manisha Bhanwala at Senior World Championship

Wrestler Manisha Bhanwala has won a historic gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, earning praise from President Droupadi Murmu, who described the feat as a moment of immense pride for India.

Manisha claimed the gold in the 59 kg event on Friday and became the first Indian woman to win gold at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. The President congratulated her on Saturday through her official X account.

The 29-year-old, who was born in Rohtak, Haryana, produced a determined performance in the title bout against Abigail Elizabeth Nate of the United States. Trailing 0-6, she staged a difficult comeback and won the contest 8-6.

India had never won gold at this global event before. Manisha achieved what Anshu Malik and her teammates Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi could not manage in 2021.

India returned with four medals in total, including two silver and one bronze. Tanu Sharma took home bronze in the women's 72 kg category.

The road to the final was also impressive for Manisha. She began with a 6-2 win over Canada's Laurence Beauregard in the pre-quarterfinals and then defeated Mongolia's Bolortuya Khurelkhu in the semifinals.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated Manisha as well, describing the day as a memorable one for Indian wrestling and hailing her as the first Indian woman in history to win a World Wrestling Championship gold medal.