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A Historic First for India! Manisha Bhanwala Becomes World Wrestling Champion

Indian wrestling has a brand-new history-maker! Manisha Bhanwala delivered a sensational performance at the World Wrestling Championships, winning the gold medal in the women's 59kg category and becoming the first Indian woman to claim a senior world title.But it was the manner of her victory that made the achievement even more extraordinary.A Comeback for the AgesIn the gold medal bout, Manisha found herself staring at a daunting 0–6 deficit against Pan American champion Abigail Nette. With the contest seemingly slipping away, the Indian wrestler refused to give up.Showing remarkable resilience and determination, Manisha fought her way back into the contest, turning the momentum around to clinch an incredible 8–6 victory. From trailing by six points to standing on top of the world, her comeback will be remembered as one of the most exciting moments in Indian women's wrestling.Ending a 16-Year WaitManisha's triumph is not just a personal milestone. It also ends India's 16-year wait for a senior world wrestling champion. The country's previous senior world title came in 2010, when Sushil Kumar won gold at the World Wrestling Championships.The championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, had already become special for Indian women's wrestling even before Manisha stepped onto the mat for her final.Neelam Sirohi, competing in the 50kg category, and Kajal Dhochak, in the 76kg category, had both reached their respective finals and secured silver medals. It was the first time two Indian women had competed in finals at the same edition of the senior World Championships.Until this championship, Anshu Malik's silver medal in the 57kg category at the 2021 World Championships in Oslo had been the lone runner-up finish by an Indian woman at the senior event.Neelam and Kajal changed that story with their double-silver performance. Manisha completed the remarkable run by achieving what no Indian woman wrestler had done before—winning the world title!A Golden Moment for Indian WrestlingFrom two historic silver medals to a remarkable gold, India's women wrestlers have made a powerful statement on the world stage. For Manisha, the journey to the top was summed up in one unforgettable final: six points down, but never out.Her historic triumph is a celebration of grit, courage and the belief that a match is never over until the final point is won.

31 Oct 2026
Sports Spirit

Wrestler Vishvajit More Wins India's First Greco-Roman Silver at U23 Worlds

Indian wrestler Vishvajit Ramchandra More has scripted a new chapter in the country's wrestling history, winning silver in the men's 55kg Greco-Roman category at the U23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas.In a nail-biting final on Thursday, More narrowly missed gold, losing 12-13 to Georgia's Koba Karumidze in the closing seconds of the bout. Although the gold medal slipped away by the slimmest of margins, his silver marked a landmark achievement for Indian Greco-Roman wrestling.More became the first Indian wrestler to win a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the U23 World Championships. Earlier in the tournament, he had also become the first Indian to reach a final in the discipline at this level.Three Tough Bouts, One Remarkable JourneyMore's path to the final was packed with challenging encounters, each demanding skill, strength and determination.He began his campaign with a hard-fought 10-8 victory over Mexico's Isaac Marin Mata, securing his place in the quarterfinals. There, he faced Iran's Armin Shamsipour, the reigning U20 world champion.The Indian wrestler delivered an impressive performance, using a four-point throw to help establish his advantage and eventually seal an 8-1 victory. The commanding result earned him a place in the semifinals and brought him closer to a historic medal.His next challenge came against Russia's Malik Gigiev. In another closely fought contest, More held his nerve to emerge victorious with a 6-4 scoreline. The win secured his place in the final and guaranteed him a place in Indian wrestling history.Silver That Shines Beyond the PodiumThe final against Karumidze proved to be a battle of fine margins. More fought hard for the gold, but the Georgian wrestler edged ahead 13-12 in the closing moments to claim the title.Despite the heartbreaking finish, More's achievement carries special significance. He had previously won two bronze medals at the same competition, making him the only Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to have secured two medals at the U23 Worlds before adding this historic silver.His latest performance further establishes him as a prominent name in India's Greco-Roman wrestling circuit.According to a report in News18, India's campaign faced challenges even before the competition began, with nine wrestlers from the U23 Greco-Roman and women's wrestling teams reportedly denied US visas. The reason cited was that the players were under 20 and didn't hold a full-time job.Against this backdrop, More's medal offers a powerful moment of celebration for Indian wrestling. His journey to the final, built on three impressive victories, shows what determination and competitive spirit can achieve on the world stage.While gold narrowly escaped him, Vishvajit More has already secured a special place in India's wrestling history.

15 Oct 2026
Sports Spirit

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