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Manisha Bhanwala Credits PWL Foreign Exposure for Wrestlers' Global Prep

Manisha Bhanwala earned Fighter of the Match honors despite her team Maharashtra Kesari's narrow 5-4 semifinal loss to Delhi Dangal Warriors in PWL 2026. She emphasized the league's critical role in providing exposure to international competition. Bhanwala highlighted that training and living with top foreign wrestlers offers invaluable learning for major global tournaments. She believes such experiences help Indian athletes identify their weaknesses and understand different competitive approaches.

Key Points: PWL 2026: Manisha Bhanwala on Training with Foreign Wrestlers

  • Fighter of the Match performance
  • Learning from foreign opponents
  • Prep for Asian Games & Olympics
  • Team bonding with international wrestlers
  • Identifying and correcting mistakes
2 min read

PWL 2026: Practising with foreign players helps understand game better, says Maharashtra Kesari's Manisha Bhanwala

Maharashtra Kesari's Manisha Bhanwala says practising with foreign players in PWL helps Indian wrestlers prepare for Asian Games and Olympics.

"Practising with them helps us understand what needs to be done and how. - Manisha Bhanwala"

Noida, Feb 1

Maharashtra Kesari's Manisha Bhanwala was named Fighter of the Match for her dominant display in the 57kg women's category during the Pro Wrestling League 2026 semifinal against Delhi Dangal Warriors. Despite her team's loss, the 28-year-old said the league provides invaluable exposure and learning opportunities that will help Indian wrestlers prepare for major global tournaments such as the Asian Games and the Olympics.

Delhi Dangal Warriors advanced to the final after edging Maharashtra Kesari 5-4 in a closely contested semi-final at the Noida Indoor Stadium. Anjli gave Delhi an early lead with a 12-4 win in the 62kg women's bout, but Maharashtra quickly hit back as Manisha Bhanwala delivered a dominant 15-0 technical superiority victory in the 57kg category to level the tie on Saturday.

"Whenever there is competition in India, we play against everyone, and it provides a very good experience. We are also learning a lot from foreign players because when we go abroad, they are the ones we face as opponents. Practising with them helps us understand what needs to be done and how," Manisha told IANS while speaking on the importance of leagues like PWL in preparing for global events like the Asian Games and Olympics.

"Playing in this league helps us identify our mistakes and gives us an idea of what we need to work on. The league is very beneficial," he said.

When asked about staying and sharing rooms with experienced and some of the top foreign wrestlers, she added, "There are many things we don't know, and we learn from them. We understand what works best for whom, so staying with them is very beneficial. Everyone stays together and even eats together, which feels good."

Asked where the match turned, Manisha had a few words to express, concluding, "Perhaps today we were unlucky."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great performance by Manisha! A 15-0 technical superiority is no joke. Sad that Maharashtra Kesari lost, but her point about learning from foreign players is spot on. We need more such leagues for all sports.
A
Aman W
The part about staying and eating together is so important. It's not just about techniques on the mat, but learning about discipline, diet, and mental preparation off it. This holistic approach will surely bear fruit in Paris 2028!
S
Sarah B
While the league is beneficial, I hope the focus remains on sustained training and not just these short tournaments. The real test is consistency at the world stage. Good luck to all the wrestlers!
K
Karthik V
Bahut badhiya! This is how we build champions. Learning from the best in the world without having to travel abroad saves resources and allows more athletes to benefit. Government should support PWL more.
N
Nikhil C
"Perhaps today we were unlucky" – shows great sportsmanship. You fought well, Manisha! The experience gained here is more valuable than just one win. On to the next one. Jai Maharashtra Kesari!

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