Stories
Sujeet Kalkal Claims Asian Games Gold, Dominates 65kg Category
- •Sujeet Kalkal secured the Asian Games gold in the men's 65kg category, overcoming an Olympic champion and erasing a 2-9 deficit in the final.
- •He defeated Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev 10-9 in a thrilling final, scoring eight consecutive points to clinch the title.
- •En route to the final, Sujeet outclassed Afghanistan's Sayed Omar Zazai, Iran's Abbas Ebrahimzadehsavadkouhi, and beat Japanese Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka on criteria.
- •This victory marks Sujeet's first Asian Games gold, adding to his impressive tally of U23 World Championships, Asian Championships, Zagreb Open, and Tirana titles in the last year.
- •The triumph solidifies Sujeet's position as a top contender for an Olympic medal in 2028, showcasing his strength, tactical acumen, and endurance.
Key Questions Answered
Sujeet Kalkal overcame a massive 2-9 deficit in the final against Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev to win 10-9. En route to the title, he also defeated Japanese Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka on criteria after a 3-3 draw in the semifinals.
Over the past 12 months, Sujeet has swept titles at the U23 World Championships, Asian Championships, Zagreb Open, Tirana event, and most recently secured his first Asian Games gold. Earlier in April 2026, he also won the 65kg freestyle gold at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek.
Young Indian wrestler Dipanshi Phogat reached the women's 50kg bronze playoff through the repechage after losing to Yui Susaki, while Rajat Ruhul and Priya Malik were eliminated in their respective pre-quarterfinals. Other stars like Aman Sehrawat, Deepak Punia, Antim Panghal, and Manisha Bhanwala were scheduled to compete subsequently.
