Manisha's journey to success began in Siwa village, where her brother Rinku became her biggest strength after the family lost their father. Rinku put his own wrestling career on hold to help his sister pursue the sport. Their mother's account of the family's struggles reveals how the sacrifice of a brother and the determination of a sister culminated in a historic victory on the international stage.
Manisha's mother, Meena Devi, said her son had also dreamed of becoming a wrestler. However, he took responsibility for the family's 11-acre farmland and supported his sister's wrestling ambitions, even preparing her for the sport by feeding her churma.
Turning Asian Games Disappointment into Success
Manisha Bhanwala, India's first woman World Wrestling Champion, is now focused on winning a medal in the 57kg category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The experienced wrestler's biggest strength remains the memory of her father, who continues to live in her heart. After returning empty-handed from the Asian Games, Manisha made up for the disappointment by securing the biggest victory of her career at the World Championships.
Following her performance at the Asian Games, Manisha took the advice of her coach, Virender Dahiya, and shifted her entire focus to the World Championships. The decision proved beneficial.
Speaking to the Wrestling Federation of India on Saturday, Manisha said, "Luck did not favour me at the Asian Games. I kept asking my coach about wrestling, training and recovery. He told me that the next target should be the World Championships. I still remember him saying that God had something big planned for me."
Made the Most of the Gap Between the Two Tournaments
Manisha competed in the 57kg category at the Asian Games but entered the World Championships in the 59kg category.
She believes the short gap between the two tournaments left her with limited time for recovery and weight reduction. However, she decided to make the most of the available opportunity.
"I was confident of winning a medal at the Asian Games. I knew I would have very little time to prepare for the World Championships. Losing weight in 10 days was difficult, so I felt that 59kg would be the right category," she said.
The decision to compete in the 59kg category helped her focus on the World Championships, where she went on to claim the gold medal by defeating Abigail Nette of the United States in the final.
Wore a Special T-Shirt in Memory of Her Father
For Manisha, the victory meant much more than winning a medal. Her father played a crucial role in introducing her to wrestling and shaping her career, but he passed away in 2022.
Before the World Championship final, Manisha wore a special T-shirt in his memory.
Speaking about her father's influence, she said, "I cannot explain how big a role my father played. I keep talking to him as if he is within me. He lives in my heart and is a part of my life."
She added, "My father taught me that either you do not start something, or if you do, you must finish it completely. This is in my blood. Wrestling is my first and last option. It has given me life, a name and the strength to live."
Brother Rinku Turned His Sister into a Wrestler
Manisha's gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships brought immense happiness to her family, particularly her mother, Meena Devi, who recalled the sacrifices made by her son Rinku.
"He used to feed her churma, bring medicines for her and support her in every possible way. Her brother also wanted to wrestle, but he decided to support his sister and said, 'If my sister wants to play, I will help her move forward,'" Meena Devi said.
Rinku's decision to prioritise his sister's sporting ambitions over his own wrestling career became a defining moment in Manisha's journey.
Took Responsibility for 11 Acres of Farmland
Meena Devi said the family did not have enough resources to support both children in wrestling and education.
However, Rinku made it clear that he would ensure his sister received the opportunity to pursue her sporting ambitions.
"My son said, 'My sister wants to play, so I will make sure she gets this opportunity.' He worked hard in the fields as well and harvested wheat on 11 acres of land. Her brother Rinku has always supported her," Meena Devi said.
From the fields of Siwa village in Haryana's Jind district to the wrestling arena in Astana, Manisha Bhanwala's journey reflects the sacrifices made by her family, particularly her brother, who took responsibility for the farmland and helped her continue wrestling.
Her historic World Championship gold has marked a significant milestone for Indian women's wrestling, while her focus now remains on winning a medal in the 57kg category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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