Sujeet Kalal's Remarkable Comeback Secures Gold for India at Asian Games

Sujeet Kalal Triumphs in Wrestling at Asian Games

Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalal achieved a remarkable feat by winning his first Asian Games gold medal in the men's 65kg category final held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on October 2. This victory marked India's inaugural gold in wrestling at these Games, adding to the medals won by Nitesh Siwach and Sunil Kumar, who secured silver and bronze in the men's 97kg and 87kg Greco-Roman wrestling events, respectively.

In a thrilling match, Kalal faced off against Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev, emerging victorious with a score of 10-9. Initially, Kalal found himself trailing 2-9, making the prospect of winning the gold seem bleak. However, the 23-year-old showcased incredible determination and resilience, executing a stunning comeback.

In the final moments of the match, Sujeet scored eight consecutive points through a series of crucial takedowns, clinching a breathtaking 10-9 victory that left spectators and competitors in awe.

Who is Sujeet Kalal?

Sujeet Kalal's extraordinary comeback from a 2-9 deficit to a 10-9 victory has thrust him into the national spotlight, making him the third wrestler after Yogeshwar Dutt (2014) and Bajrang Punia (2018) to win gold in the men's 65kg category.

Originating from Imlota, Haryana, Sujeet began his wrestling journey at a local village akhada, trained by his father, Dayanand Kalkal, a former national-level wrestler. He continued his training in his village until 2020 before relocating to Sonipat in 2021 to train with more experienced wrestlers.

The year 2022 was significant for Sujeet, as he secured a gold medal at the Asian U20 Championships and Grand Prix, along with a bronze at the World U20 Championships. In 2025, he further solidified his status by winning gold medals at both the World and Asian U23 Championships and Grand Prix.

Fans Celebrate Sujeet Kalal's Comeback

Sujeet Kalal's incredible comeback from 2-9 to 10-9 has captivated social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where fans and sports enthusiasts have lauded his tenacity and late-game performance.

Many fans took to their X accounts to commend Sujeet's remarkable turnaround, emphasizing his fighting spirit and ability to reverse the match in the closing seconds. Comments ranged from describing the victory as 'legendary' to praising the 23-year-old for his refusal to give up despite being down.

One fan noted that while many athletes might surrender after falling behind 2-9, Sujeet's determination only intensified, with others calling his performance a 'legendary fight' that deserves to be watched repeatedly.

India's Medal Count at the Asian Games

India has achieved a total of 76 medals at the Asian Games, comprising 16 gold, 25 silver, and 35 bronze, currently placing fifth in the medal standings. China leads with 316 medals, followed by host Japan with 239 and South Korea with 134.