All posts tagged: Manisha Bhanwala

Manisha Bhanwala, Neha Sangwan clinch gold medals

Manisha Bhanwala, Neha Sangwan clinch gold medals

Published by Webster

Indian wrestlers continued their good showing to clinch two more gold medals on the second day of the Ulaanbaatar Ranking Series in Mongolia on Friday. Former Asian Champion Manisha Bhanwala (57Kg) and defending champion Neha Sangwan (59Kg) bagged the titles in the women’s freestyle wrestling. Manisha defeated senior world and Asian medalist Sim Son Il of North Korea in the final on a victory by fall to bag her second Ranking Series title of the year. Meanwhile, Neha defeated 5-3 Pyol Hong of North Korea in a close final to bag her second consecutive gold in Mongolia, following last year’s 57kg title. On the other hand, Neelam Sirohi and Sahil Kadyan bagged bronze medals in the women’s 50 kg category and men’s 60 kg Greco-Roman category, respectively. Neelam defeated Kazakhstan’s Maral Tangirbergenova while Sahil received a walkover against fellow compatriot Sumit Dalal, who suffered an injury in semis. In women’s 53kg, Meenakshi Goyat, who defeated Vinesh Phogat at Asian Games trials, failed to medal, losing to the home favourite Namuuntsetseg Ochir in repechage. The final …

Asian Wrestling C’ships: Aman Sehrawat leads India’s medal charge in Bishkek

Asian Wrestling C’ships: Aman Sehrawat leads India’s medal charge in Bishkek

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India heads into the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 with a blend of proven names and rising talent, hoping to build on last year’s 10-medal haul when the continental event gets underway in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from April 6 to 12. With Olympic medallist Aman Sehrawat spearheading the campaign, the focus will be on whether India can convert its consistent podium finishes into more gold medals this time around. Aman Sehrawat at the centre of India’s ambitions There is a certain inevitability about the spotlight falling on Aman Sehrawat. Still early in his career but already an Olympic medallist, Aman enters the 61kg category as one of India’s strongest medal hopes. It’s a division he has grown comfortable in, having already picked up international medals this season, including a silver at the Zagreb Open. But Bishkek will test him differently. With Uzbekistan’s Gulomjon Abdullaev, a Paris Olympic bronze medallist, likely sharing the bracket, Aman’s path to gold could hinge on navigating one high-pressure bout. Around him, India’s men’s freestyle squad carries depth. Ankush steps into a wide-open …

Meenakshi knocks out Antim Panghal from Asian C’ships trials

Meenakshi knocks out Antim Panghal from Asian C’ships trials

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New Delhi: The two-time world championships medalist Antim Panghal shock exit from the selection trials for the upcoming 2026 Asian Wrestling C’ships, missing out on the Indian team. She was stunned by the 25-year-old Meenakshi in the women’s 53kg final, losing the bout on a pinfall in the dying moments after trailing 2-6 on the scoreboard. Meenakshi countered all the low attempted moves of Antim efficiently to book her spot for the senior Asian Championships for the first time. She continued her wonderful form this year, having a perfect record at the Pro Wrestling League and then a silver medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. “I had the confidence from the start, as every time I make mistakes just because of my self-doubt, but this time I thought there was nothing to lose and had my plans for this win”, Meenakshi told The Bridge after her bout. There was another big surprise in the heavyweight category as Kajal Dhochak came from behind to defeat the favourite Priya Malik 4-2 in the women’s 76 Kg …

Indian contingent gears up for first Ranking Series event of the year

Indian contingent gears up for first Ranking Series event of the year

Published by Webster

Indian wrestlers are set to begin their international season with the first Ranking Series event of the year, the Zagreb Open in Croatia, to be held from February 4 to 8. Following the much-welcomed return of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL), the young wrestlers are now geared up to showcase the skills and experience they gained from the league on the global stage. India will send a 41-member contingent to the event, including experienced campaigners such as Sujeet Kalkal, Manisha Bhanwala, Aman Sehrawat and two-time world medallist Antim Panghal. A new start for Indian wrestling The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is also aiming to provide strong international exposure to young wrestlers and has therefore entered multiple athletes across the Olympic weight categories. This year marks a new beginning for Indian wrestling, with the start of a fresh Olympic cycle and a major continental showdown in the form of the Asian Games later this year. The Ranking Series events will not only provide valuable international experience to the wrestlers but will also help WFI identify …

Delhi Dangal Warriors stun Maharashtra Kesari to reach the final

Delhi Dangal Warriors stun Maharashtra Kesari to reach the final

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Delhi Dangal Warriors booked their place in a thrilling final of the Pro Wrestling League 2026 after edging past Maharashtra Kesari in a pulsating Semi-final 2 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Friday. In a contest that swung dramatically from bout to bout, Delhi showed composure under pressure to claim a 5–4 win and set up a mouth-watering title clash against Haryana Thunders. Shubham Kaushik was named Player of the Match for his extraordinary comeback win in the 57kg men’s category that kept Delhi alive at a crucial stage. Meanwhile, Manisha Bhanvala earned Fighter of the Match honours for her dominant display that anchored Maharashtra’s charge in the same weight category for women. Delhi struck first in the 62kg women’s contest through Anjli, who produced a composed and clinical performance against Dudova Bilyana Zhivkova. Mixing takedowns, push-outs, and a decisive four-point move in the Power Minute, Anjli secured a convincing 12–4 win to hand Delhi the early lead. Maharashtra responded immediately in emphatic fashion as Manisha Bhanvala dominated Karla Godinez in the 57kg women’s tie, …

Punjab Royals register a crucial victory over Maharashtra Kesari

Punjab Royals register a crucial victory over Maharashtra Kesari

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Ana Godinez delivered an authoritative performance in the decisive 62kg women’s contest to guide Punjab Royals to a crucial 5–4 victory over Maharashtra Kesari in Match 12 of the Pro Wrestling League 2026 at the Noida Indoor Stadium. After Punjab surged to a 4–1 lead through a dominant opening half, Maharashtra mounted a strong fightback in Bouts 6 and 7 to keep the contest alive. However, Godinez stepped up when it mattered most, sealing Punjab’s fifth win and the full two match points. With this result, Maharashtra Kesari end their league campaign with three wins from four matches, finishing with six points and 23 bout wins, while Punjab Royals climb to third place with six points from four matches and 18 bout wins. Priya Malik was named Player of the Match, while Atish Thodkar earned Fighter of the Match honours. Punjab Royals set the tone in the opening 53kg women’s contest through Meenakshi, who produced a disciplined and controlled display against Paris Olympic silver medallist Guzman Lopez Yusneylis. Scoring early takedowns and capitalising on passivity, …

Maharashtra Kesari hands Haryana Thunder its first defeat

Maharashtra Kesari hands Haryana Thunder its first defeat

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Amit held his nerve under intense pressure in the decisive final contest to steer Maharashtra Kesari to a well-earned 5–4 victory over Haryana Thunders in Match 10 of the Pro Wrestling League 2026 on Friday at Noida Indoor Stadium. With the tie locked at 4–4, Amit produced a composed performance in the 86kg men’s category to secure the win by a single point, lifting Maharashtra Kesari to the top of the standings with six points from four matches. Haryana Thunders, the previously unbeaten side, were pushed all the way in a high-quality encounter that swung repeatedly and handed them their first defeat of the season. Tevanyan Vazgen from Maharashtra Kesari was named Player of the Match, while Kajal Dhochhak earned Fighter of the Match honours for keeping Haryana alive deep into the contest. Haryana Thunders made a blistering start through their captain, Yui Susaki, in the opening 53kg women’s category. The former Olympic champion wasted no time asserting control. She executed back-to-back takedowns and smooth exposure sequences before forcing a fall inside just 85 seconds …

​Manisha Bhanwala leads Maharashtra Kesari to its first win of the season

​Manisha Bhanwala leads Maharashtra Kesari to its first win of the season

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Manisha Bhanwala produced a dominant performance to headline Maharashtra Kesari’s emphatic 6–3 victory over Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals in Match 6 of the Pro Wrestling League 2026. Bhanwala’s explosive win by fall in the women’s 57kg category proved decisive in setting the tone as Maharashtra secured their first win of the season and the full two match points. She was also named Player of the Match, while Tiigers’ Mukul Dahiya earned Fighter of the Match for his high-impact showing. Maharashtra Kesari asserted control from the start. In the opening 62kg women’s contest, Dudova Bilyana Zhivkova recovered from conceding an early takedown to dominate Sarika Malik, using repeated turn-and-exposure sequences to close out an authoritative 11–2 victory. The momentum continued in a high-intensity 74kg men’s contest, where Kesari’s Yash turned the bout decisively in the second period, capitalising on sustained attacks to defeat Naveen Malik 13–5. The heavyweight clash further strengthened Maharashtra’s grip on the match. Captain Robert Baran showcased composure and grit in a tactical 125kg contest, striking decisively in the second period with a …

Delhi Dangal Warriors and Haryana Thunders start with a win

Delhi Dangal Warriors and Haryana Thunders start with a win

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Haryana Thunders delivered a dominant all-round performance to outclass Punjab Royals 7–2, asserting control early and never relinquishing momentum in their first match of the season on Friday. Player of the Match Neha Sangwan delivered one of the standout performances of the tie with a dominant 8–0 victory over Punjab captain Roksana Zasina in the 57kg women’s bout. Meanwhile, U23 World Champion and Asian Championship Bronze medalist Priya Malik was named Fighter of the Match for her gritty performance in a tightly contested 76kg contest. Haryana set the tone in the opening bout as Ashirov Ashraf edged past Tariel Gaphrindashvili 6–5 in a tense 86kg contest, using early control and a timely exposure to withstand a late surge. Punjab briefly drew level through Chandermohan in the 74kg bout, where he produced an authoritative 13–6 win over Parvinder, capitalising heavily during the Power Minute. That proved to be Punjab’s lone moment of parity. Neha Sangwan immediately swung the tie back in Haryana’s favour with a clinical 8–0 Shutout of Roksana Zasina in the 57kg women’s bout, …

Wrestler Manisha Bhanwala fights through grief to win first Asian C’ships Gold

Wrestler Manisha Bhanwala fights through grief to win first Asian C’ships Gold

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“My father never made me feel I was weak for being a girl. That gave me freedom – to dream and to wrestle.” Manisha Bhanwala doesn’t say this with tears in her eyes. She says it with strength – the kind that carried her through heartbreak, doubt, and years of near-misses to finally clinch her first Asian Wrestling Championships gold last month in Amman, Jordan. The wrestler from Rohtak pulled off a stunning comeback to beat North Korea’s Kim Ok-Ju 8-7 in the 62kg final, earning India its first women’s gold at the Asian Championships in four years. But for Manisha, this win was more than a medal. It was a tribute. Speaking to The Bridge over a phone call, Manisha opened up about her emotional win, the memories of her late father, and the journey that led to her maiden Asian Championships gold medal. Wrestling fueled by love In 2022, just hours before she was scheduled to fly out for the Asian Championships, Manisha lost her father. “He passed away in the afternoon. I …