Indian wrestlers Priya Malik delivered an outstanding performance in the women’s 76kg freestyle division at the prestigious Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial 2025 in Budapest. The former U-20 world champion powered through the competition, shocking fans with a 7-2 victory over Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Elmira Syzdykova of Kazakhstan in her quarterfinal match. Malik continued her unstoppable momentum in the semifinals, defeating Valeriia Trifonova with an emphatic 11-1 score.

In the gold-medal match, Priya faced Brazil’s Thamires Martins Machado in a closely contested final. Despite a gritty effort, Malik narrowly missed out on gold, with a 4-3 defeat, securing a well-earned silver for India. This medal adds to her growing legacy and further solidifies her reputation as a force in the global wrestling arena.

Manisha’s Grit Earns India Bronze in 62kg Category

Alongside Malik’s silver, Asian champion Manisha Bhanwala bolstered India’s medal tally by winning bronze in the 62kg category. Manisha initially faced a setback, suffering a decisive loss to Amina Tandelova in the quarterfinals. However, she displayed true determination by battling through the repechage rounds. She overcame French Olympian Ameline Douarre 8–2 and decisively defeated Belarus’s Krystsina Sazykina 9–0 in the bronze medal match by pinning down her opponent.

Manisha’s perseverance in the repechage—a route reserved for competitors who lose to finalists—showcased the depth and resilience of India’s women’s wrestling contingent. Her medal adds to a stellar campaign for the team in Budapest.

Indian Women Wrestlers: Shining on the International Stage

The performances of Priya Malik and Manisha are part of a remarkable showing by Indian women at the Budapest Ranking Series event. Indian women’s wrestlers clinched multiple medals, with the team securing gold, silver, and bronze across several categories—an achievement that signals their growing dominance on the world stage.