Manisha Becomes India's First-Ever Women's World Champion

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (October 30) -- After two failed attempts to get its first-ever world champion at 2026 World Championships in Astana, India finally got it's historic gold medal as MANISHA (IND) won gold medal at the 59kg.

Manisha achieved the historic result in incredible manner, coming back from 6-0 deficit against Abigail NETTE (USA) in the final, and winning 8-6 for the gold medal.

Earlier in the World Championships, NEELAM (IND) at 50kg and KAJAL (IND) at 76kg, tried to become world champions but both fell short in the finals.

Wrestling in the final, Manisha got dumped for four points by Nette but India challenged that call only to lose and give another point to Nette who now led 5-0. A caution against Manisha extended Nette's lead to 6-0. But Manisha got a stepout before the break to get one point on board.

But Manisha then mounted a comeback first with a takedown against Nette which the United States challenged saying that the referee whistled to stop the bout. The challenge was lost, giving one more point to Manisha and position in par terre.

From 6-4, Manisha managed to make to turn Nette using a gut-wrench for two points and tried holding Nette for the fall but failed to do so.

Nette then went on trying to defend her 6-6 criteria lead but Manisha scored a pressure takedown and took a 8-6 lead that she defended to win a historic gold medal.

Manisha is second world champion for India in wrestling after Sushil KUMAR (IND) who won the 66kg gold medal at the 2010 World Championships.