Manisha Bhanwala Crowned Champion in Zagreb; Antim, Diksha Add to India’s Medal Haul

India’s women wrestlers continued their impressive run on the international circuit as Manisha Bhanwala clinched gold at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series 2026, headlining a strong overall showing that also saw Antim Panghal secure bronze and Diksha Malik claim silver.

Competing in the women’s 57kg freestyle category, Manisha delivered a composed and tactically sharp performance in the final, defeating former U23 World Champion Himeka Tokuhara of Japan 3–0 to seal the title. It was a statement victory — measured, defensively solid and executed with clarity under pressure.

Manisha’s campaign in Zagreb was built on authority from the very first bout. In the Round of 16, she overcame Sweden’s Tindra Dalmyr 9–4, controlling the pace and converting her attacks efficiently. She followed that with a dominant 14–4 technical superiority win over Kazakhstan’s Nilufar Raimova in the quarterfinals, where her transitions from defense to offense stood out.

In the semifinal, Manisha left little room for doubt, dismantling Germany’s Amory Andrich 11–0 by technical superiority. The result underlined her sharpness in par terre situations and her ability to close out bouts decisively.

The gold medal bout against Tokuhara was expected to be tighter, given the Japanese wrestler’s pedigree. However, Manisha remained calm throughout the six-minute contest. She absorbed early exchanges, defended intelligently and capitalised on scoring opportunities to secure a 3–0 win. It was a final defined less by flamboyance and more by tactical maturity — a hallmark of elite freestyle wrestling. The victory reinforces Manisha’s credentials in the 57kg division and strengthens India’s depth in women’s freestyle heading into a crucial Olympic cycle.

Antim Panghal Fights Back for Bronze

Two-time World Championships bronze medallist Antim Panghal added another international medal to her growing résumé, claiming bronze in the women’s 53kg category. Antim’s campaign had begun strongly but was halted in the semifinals by U20 World Champion Everest Shea Leydecker of the United States. In a tightly contested bout, Antim lost on criteria after the match ended 2–2 — a reminder of the razor-thin margins at the highest level.

Despite the setback, Antim responded emphatically in the bronze medal match, defeating fellow Indian Anjali Kachhawa by technical superiority, 10–0. She controlled the bout from the outset, using her pace and positional awareness to overwhelm Anjali.

Anjali, who had earlier lost to Leydecker 0–11, struggled to counter Antim’s relentless offense. The all-Indian bronze contest demonstrated the depth emerging in the 53kg category, with multiple athletes pushing for international podium finishes. For Antim, the medal represents both resilience and consistency. Even in tournaments where she does not reach the final, she continues to convert opportunities into podium finishes a mark of elite competitors.

Diksha Malik Secures Silver

India’s medal tally in women’s wrestling was further boosted by Diksha Malik, who secured silver in the women’s 72kg category. Diksha advanced to the final with a series of composed performances but fell short against Olympic silver medallist Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu of Turkey. In a competitive final, Diksha lost 2–5, yet demonstrated strong defensive awareness and mat discipline against one of the world’s best in the division.

The silver medal reflects Diksha’s upward trajectory and her ability to compete effectively at the Ranking Series level. Facing an Olympic medallist in the final provided valuable exposure and highlighted areas for refinement ahead of major global events.

With Manisha’s gold, Diksha’s silver and Antim’s bronze, India’s women wrestlers continued to build momentum at the Zagreb Ranking Series. The overall women’s freestyle medal tally stood at one gold, three silver and four bronze medals — a robust return that underscores India’s strength across weight categories.

Beyond the medal count, the performances in Zagreb highlighted key positives: technical sharpness, improved finishing ability in scoring positions, and resilience in high-pressure bouts. Manisha’s gold stands out as a defining performance not just because of the title, but because of the quality of opposition she defeated en route. Antim’s consistency and Diksha’s emergence further deepen India’s bench strength.

As the Ranking Series progresses and attention shifts toward continental and world-level championships, India’s women wrestlers appear well-positioned. The blend of established names and rising contenders suggests sustained competitiveness across multiple weight divisions. In Zagreb, Manisha Bhanwala delivered a champion’s performance. Around her, Antim Panghal and Diksha Malik ensured India remained firmly among the top-performing nations a collective statement of intent from Indian women’s wrestling.