Manisha Bhanwala wins gold at Wrestling World Championships
The Indian wrestler overcame a 0-6 deficit against USA's Abigail Nette to secure a historic victory in Astana.
Manisha Bhanwala won a gold medal in the non-Olympic 59kg category at the Wrestling World Championships in Astana on Friday, according to the Times of India. Bhanwala became the first Indian woman to win gold at the championships and the first Indian, male or female, to win gold at the event since 2010.
During the final at Barys Arena, USA's Abigail Nette led Bhanwala 6-0 in the first period and 6-1 at the break. Bhanwala reduced the deficit to two points following a lapse by Nette, before forcing a takedown with 30 seconds remaining to take an 8-6 lead.
National coach Virender Kumar said he and Bhanwala watched videos of Nette before the final and observed that the American gets tired in the fifth or sixth minute. Kumar stated he was confident Bhanwala would take many points in the fifth minute.
Bhanwala, who is 29, is the oldest of the 24 Indians to win a medal at the World Championships. She said she wore a T-shirt with her parents' faces on it because she had a feeling she would return with a medal and a record.
The wrestler, who was born in Siwaha, Haryana, said her father taught her to finish any work she starts. Bhanwala noted that wrestling is her first and last option.