Asian Games 2026: Sujeet Kalkal stages stunning comeback to win 65kg wrestling gold
Sujeet became the third Indian man to win 65kg freestyle gold at the Asian Games
Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal won the gold medal in the men’s 65kg freestyle category at the Asian Games 2026, defeating Tajikistan’s Abdulmahzid Kudiev 10-9 in a dramatic final.
Making his Asian Games debut, Sujeet entered the competition as the world no. 2 and delivered when it mattered most. The victory gave India its first wrestling gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
Sujeet also became only the third Indian wrestler to win the men’s 65kg freestyle gold at the Asian Games, following Yogeshwar Dutt in 2014 and Bajrang Punia in 2018.
Sujeet completes remarkable rise
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Born on November 5, 2002, in Haryana, Sujeet was introduced to wrestling by his father, Dayanand Kalkal, a former national-level wrestler. He began training at a village akhada in Imolta before moving to SAI Sonepat in 2021.
His rise continued with a breakthrough in 2022 when he won gold at the U23 and U20 Asian Championships. He later added bronze medals at the 2022 World Championships and 2024 U23 World Championships.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026: India’s medal winners, live medal tally, results
In 2025, Sujeet won gold at the U23 Asian Championships and followed it with another gold at the U23 World Championships, further establishing himself among India’s leading 65kg wrestlers.
His journey has also included setbacks. In 2024, Sujeet missed the Asian Olympic Qualifier after being stranded in Dubai because of flight disruptions caused by flooding. He reached Bishkek only after the weigh-in had begun.
2026: A breakthrough year
Sujeet’s 2026 campaign had already been exceptional before the Asian Games. He began the year with gold at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series and successfully defended his 65kg title at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in Tirana.
He then completed a hat-trick of gold medals by winning the Senior Asian Championships in Bishkek, defeating Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov 8-1 in the final.
The three victories made Sujeet unbeaten across his first 10 bouts of 2026. He carried that form into the Asian Games, defeating Afghanistan’s Omar Zazai and Iran’s Abbas Ebrahimzadehssavadkouhi before facing Japan’s reigning Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka in the semi-final. Sujeet edged Kiyooka 3-3 on criteria to reach the final.
Sujeet stages a stunning comeback in final
Kudiev made the stronger start in the gold medal bout, leaving Sujeet 2-9 down in the second period.
The Indian wrestler kept his composure and gradually fought his way back into the contest. He reduced the deficit with a series of attacking moves before producing a decisive move in the closing stages.
Sujeet completed the remarkable turnaround to win 10-9, securing the biggest title of his career so far.
Government support behind Sujeet’s preparation
Sujeet’s preparation for the Asian Games also received significant government backing. He has been supported through the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Annual Calendar for Training and Competitions (ACTC) during the Asian Games cycle.
The support also extended to his preparation camps, with government assistance provided for his sparring partner to participate in a foreign preparatory training camp ahead of the Asian Games.
With his Asian Games triumph, Sujeet has capped an outstanding period that includes U23 Asian and World Championship gold medals in 2025, three major gold medals earlier in 2026, and now the Asian Games gold.
Who won the men’s 65kg freestyle gold at the Asian Games 2026?
India’s Sujeet Kalkal won gold, beating Tajikistan’s Abdulmahzid Kudiev 10-9 in the final. It was India’s first wrestling gold at the Games.
How did Sujeet Kalkal come back to win the Asian Games 2026 final?
Kudiev led 9-2 in the second period. Sujeet fought back with a series of attacking moves and a decisive move late on to win 10-9.
Which Indian wrestlers have won men’s 65kg freestyle gold at the Asian Games?
Sujeet is only the third, after Yogeshwar Dutt in 2014 and Bajrang Punia in 2018. He beat Japan’s reigning Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka 3-3 on criteria in the semi-final.
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