Sujeet Kalkal to Lead Indian Team at World Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan
Indian Wrestling Team Set for World Championships
Sujeet Kalkal, the Asian Games champion, will lead the Indian contingent at the World Wrestling Championships scheduled in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1, according to reports. This prestigious event will feature ten weight categories for both men's and women's freestyle wrestling. Notably, Olympic medalist Aman Sehrawat and two-time World Championships bronze medalist Antim Panghal will not participate. Antim recently earned a silver medal at the Asian Games 2026, while Aman is currently recovering from shoulder and ankle injuries. Additionally, Olympian Deepak Punia, who secured a bronze at the Asian Games, will also miss the competition due to a shoulder injury.
Sujeet: A Key Medal Hope
Competing in the men's freestyle 65 kg category, Sujeet is viewed as India's top medal prospect in Astana. The 23-year-old wrestler made headlines by defeating reigning Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka of Japan in the semi-finals and staged a remarkable comeback against Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev in the gold medal match at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Sujeet, who was trailing 9-2, turned the match around to win 10-9, showcasing his talent with a series of takedowns. This victory added the Asian Games title to his previous wins at the Asian Championships and U23 World Championships, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in Indian wrestling. Currently, he ranks second in the United World Wrestling (UWW) standings, just behind Iran's world champion Rahman Amouzad, who will also compete in Astana.
Participants from the Asian Games
Out of the 15 competitors from India at the Asian Games, only five will be present in Astana: Sujeet, Sagar Jaglan, Manisha Bhanwala, Sunil Kumar, and Nitesh Siwach. Nitesh earned a silver medal in the 97kg category at Aichi-Nagoya, marking India's first silver in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Asian Games in 64 years. Sunil made history as the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to win two medals at the Asian Games, securing a bronze in the 87kg category. The points earned at the 2026 World Championships will be crucial for seeding in the 2027 Ranking Series, continental championships, and future World Championships, making this event significant for the upcoming LA 2028 Olympic cycle.
Indian Team for World Wrestling Championships 2026
Men’s Freestyle
Rahul (57kg), Nikhil (61kg), Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Vishal Kaliraman (70kg), Sagar Jaglan (74kg), Sourabh Yadav (79kg), Pushpender Dalal (86kg), Sachin (92kg), Vicky (97kg), Jaspooran Singh (125kg)
Women
Neelam (50kg), Nishu (53kg), Ahilya S Shinde (55kg), Neha Sharma (57kg), Manisha Bhanwala (59kg), Neha (62kg), Rajnita (65kg), Srishti (68kg), Tanu Sharma (72kg), Kajal (76kg)
Greco-Roman
Lalit (55kg), Harsh (60kg), Sahil (63kg), Sachin Sahrawat (67kg), Karanjit Singh (72kg), Lovepreet Singh (77kg), Prince (82kg), Sunil Kumar (87kg), Nitesh Siwach (97kg), Joginder Rathee (130kg).