Haryana Wrestler Manisha Bhanwala Felicitated by CM Saini After Historic World Championship Gold

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini felicitated wrestler Manisha Bhanwala in Chandigarh on Tuesday after her historic gold medal at the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. State Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam was also present at the felicitation ceremony, where the Chief Minister congratulated the young wrestler on a performance that has put Indian women’s wrestling on a new pedestal.

Manisha made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. Competing in the 59 kg freestyle category, she produced a remarkable comeback in the final against Abigail Elizabeth Nette of the United States, recovering from a 0-6 deficit to win the bout 8-6. The victory has been widely described as one of the finest moments in Indian wrestling history.

Speaking after the felicitation, Manisha said she was proud of her achievement and grateful for the encouragement she received from the Haryana government. She recalled that the Chief Minister congratulated her on her performance and urged her to aim even higher. “The Chief Minister said I have performed my best so far, but encouraged me to aim even higher. He said I have the potential to become a world champion and an Olympic champion,” she said, adding that the Chief Minister advised her to stay focused, with the hope that she will bring home an Olympic medal for the country.

Haryana has long been the heartland of Indian wrestling, producing a steady stream of international medal winners, and Manisha’s gold adds another proud chapter to that tradition. The state government has backed its sportspersons with cash awards, government jobs and modern training facilities, and its wrestlers have consistently repaid that support with medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships.

The felicitation in Chandigarh was also a celebration of the grit that defined Manisha’s final bout. Trailing 0-6 against a strong American opponent, she refused to give up, fought her way back point by point, and sealed the title with an 8-6 win. Such comebacks are rare at the world level, and coaches say it reflects both her physical conditioning and her mental strength under pressure.

For young girls training in akharas and sports hostels across Haryana, Manisha’s gold is an inspiration and a message that the very top of world wrestling is within reach. With the Olympic cycle ahead, the focus now shifts to helping her build on this success, and the Chief Minister’s words at the felicitation made clear that the state will stand firmly behind her quest for an Olympic medal.