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Sujeet Kalkal Storms to Asian Games Gold, Erases Massive Deficit to Topple Olympic Champion
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Firstpost•02-10-2026, 17:32
Sujeet Kalkal Storms to Asian Games Gold, Erases Massive Deficit to Topple Olympic Champion
- •Sujeet Kalkal clinched the Asian Games gold in the men's 65kg category, defeating an Olympic champion and overcoming a 2-9 deficit in the final.
- •He showcased tremendous speed and technical skills, scoring eight consecutive points to win the final 10-9 against Abdulmazhid Kudiev of Tajikistan.
- •Kalkal's path to gold included outclassing Afghanistan's Sayed Omar Zazai, a clinical win against Iran's Abbas Ebrahimzadehsavadkouhi, and a criteria victory over Japanese Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka.
- •This marks Sujeet's first Asian Games gold, adding to a dominant year where he has swept the U23 World Championships, Asian Championships, Zagreb Open, and Tirana title.
- •His triumph further solidifies his credentials as a top contender for an Olympic medal in 2028, overcoming past setbacks including a knee injury and a controversial direct entry decision in the previous Asian Games.
Key Questions Answered
Sujeet Kalkal overcame a massive 2-9 deficit in the final against Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev to win 10-9, after defeating Japanese Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka in the semifinals.
Over the past year, Sujeet Kalkal has captured the Asian Games gold, alongside titles at the U23 World Championships, Asian Championships, Zagreb Open, and Tirana tournament.
Dipanshi Phogat advanced to the women's 50kg bronze play-off through the repechage round after her pre-quarterfinal loss.
