Manisha Bhanwala posing with her gold medal after winning the 59kg category title at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana on October 30, 2026. Photo: Special Arrangement
\n\nFor late bloomer Manisha Bhanwala, finding the right weight category to complement her height proved a major challenge. The realisation came relatively late in her career, prompting her to switch weight categories three times in less than a year. The final move paid off as the 29-year-old scripted history in Astana on Friday, becoming the first Indian woman to win World Wrestling Championships gold in the 59kg category.
\n\nFrom winning Asian Championships gold in the 62kg category in 2025 to moving to the Olympic weight division of 57kg, she made significant adjustments. She also became a national champion in the latter category. However, her Asian Games campaign proved disappointing. Competing in the 57kg division, Manisha missed out on a medal, exiting in the quarterfinals after losing 0-3 to Japan's Akari Fujinami.
\n\nAhead of the World Championships in Astana, her sixth appearance at the event, she took another bold decision: switching weight categories yet again, this time to 59kg. The move paid off spectacularly. Manisha created history by becoming the first Indian woman to…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports
