Indian Wrestlers Shine at World Championships with Silver Medals
Historic Achievements for Indian Women Wrestlers
Astana [Kazakhstan], October 28: Indian wrestlers Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi wrapped up their remarkable journey at the World Championships on Wednesday, each earning silver medals after their final matches, as reported by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
In the 76kg final, 18-year-old Kajal faced off against Ukraine's Anastasiya Alpyeyeva. This match marked her debut at the senior World Championships after previously winning two U20 world titles. Despite a valiant effort, Kajal narrowly lost the match 6-8, securing a silver medal.
Meanwhile, in the 50kg final, 26-year-old Neelam encountered a tough opponent in Japan's four-time world champion Yui Susaki. Neelam was defeated by fall after falling behind 0-5.
These podium finishes represent a significant milestone for Indian wrestling, as it is the first occasion where two Indian women reached the finals in the same World Championships. Their achievements build on the progress made by Anshu Malik, who was the first Indian woman to reach a World Championships final in 2021.
Kajal demonstrated remarkable determination on her way to the final, notably overcoming a 1-7 deficit to defeat Kyrgyzstan's Aiperi Medet Kyzy with a score of 10-7 in the semifinals.
Neelam also exhibited impressive skill throughout the tournament, securing her place in the final with a solid 7-3 victory over Kazakhstan's Zeinep Bayanova.
In other news, Rajnita's journey in the 65kg category ended in the repechage round, where she lost 2-6 to Japan's Nana Ikehata, missing the chance to compete for a bronze medal.
The final matches for women's wrestling will take place tomorrow, featuring the last two weight classes, 55kg and 59kg.