Sujeet Kalkal Clinches Historic Gold in Wrestling at Asian Games 2026

Sujeet Kalkal has made history by winning a gold medal in the men's freestyle wrestling 65 kg category at the Asian Games 2026. Overcoming a significant deficit in the final match against Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev, Kalkal's determination and skill led him to victory. He dedicated his win to his fellow countrymen and expressed gratitude to the Wrestling Federation of India for their support. This achievement marks India's first wrestling gold at the Asian Games since 2018, highlighting the country's growing prowess in the sport. Kalkal's journey to the gold included notable victories over tough competitors, showcasing his resilience and talent.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 2, 2026, 18:37 IST

Sujeet Kalkal's Triumph in Men's Freestyle Wrestling

Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal celebrated a remarkable victory by securing a gold medal in the men's freestyle wrestling 65 kg category at the Asian Games 2026. He achieved this feat by overcoming Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev in the final held in Aichi-Nagoya on Friday. Despite trailing 2-9 with just a minute and 40 seconds remaining, Sujeet executed a series of takedowns, turning the match in his favor and clinching the gold with only eleven seconds left on the clock. This victory marks India's first gold in wrestling at the Asian Games since Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat's wins in Jakarta-Palembang 2018, as reported by ESPN.

'My Sole Focus Was to Bring Gold for the Nation'

After his victory, Sujeet expressed his joy, stating, "I entered the mat with a singular goal—to bring gold back to my country. I maintained my hope until the very end, and thankfully, the gold has been secured for India." He dedicated his medal to his fellow countrymen, acknowledging their prayers as a source of strength. Reflecting on his performance and the challenges faced during the Asian Games, he noted, "Wrestling is inherently tough, and the competition was fierce, including an Olympic champion among them. Fortunately, everything turned out well." Sujeet also extended his gratitude to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for their unwavering support. "I am very thankful to them. Our president, Sanjay Singh, was present here, providing full backing. I also appreciate all the supporters who came out. The Federation is making significant improvements in wrestling, and I believe we will see even more medals in the future," he added.

Path to the Gold Medal Match

Prior to the final, Sujeet achieved a significant victory by defeating Japan's Kiyooka 3-3 on criteria in the semifinals of the men's freestyle 65kg. Kiyooka, the reigning Olympic champion, initially led 2-0 after the first period. However, Sujeet made a strong comeback in the second period, scoring three points. With the score tied at 3-3, he was declared the winner for scoring the last point, thus advancing to the gold medal match. Earlier in the tournament, Sujeet had triumphed over Afghanistan's Sayed Omar Zazai in the round of 16 and Iran's Abbas Ebrahimzadehsavadkouhi in the quarterfinal.