Speaking at a media event on Saturday, Bhanwala expressed her desire to see her achievement surpassed by her compatriots. She emphasized that the goal is to normalize world-class success for Indian women, aiming for further breakthroughs at the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. For Bhanwala, the true value of her gold medal lies in its potential to inspire a wave of new world champions from India.
A Record-Breaking Campaign for India
The 2026 edition of the championships proved to be a watershed moment for the Indian squad, which secured its highest-ever medal haul at the event. With a total of four medals—one gold, two silver, and one bronze—India finished fourth in the overall medal standings. This performance eclipsed previous records set in 2012 and 2021, where the team managed two medals in each tournament.
Joining Bhanwala on the podium were Neelam Sirohi, who claimed silver in the 50kg division, and Kajal Dhochak, who earned silver in the 76kg category. Tanu Sharma rounded out the successful campaign by securing a bronze medal in the 72kg weight class. In the team rankings, India finished fifth with 94 points, trailing behind the United States, Japan, China, and Ukraine.
Patience and Future Ambitions
Reflecting on the performances of her teammates, Bhanwala offered words of encouragement to those who fell short of gold. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming past disappointments, she urged her peers to remain resilient. She specifically highlighted the efforts of Sirohi and Dhochak, noting that high-intensity competition can be unpredictable and that patience is essential for long-term growth.
Looking ahead, Bhanwala is already preparing for the next phase of her career. She plans to transition from the 59kg category to the 57kg division, a strategic move aimed at aligning with the requirements for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With the momentum from this historic performance, the Indian wrestling contingent is now looking to build on its newfound success on the global stage.
