Sujeet Kalkal Wins India’s First Wrestling Gold at Asian Games 2026

Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal produced a remarkable comeback to win the gold medal in men’s freestyle 65kg wrestling at the Asian Games 2026, giving India its first wrestling gold of the continental event. Kalkal defeated Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev 10-9 in a dramatic final after appearing to be in a difficult position midway through the bout.

Kudiev established a commanding 9-2 lead during the final, putting Kalkal under significant pressure. However, the Indian wrestler changed the momentum in the closing stages and produced a stunning recovery. Kalkal scored eight unanswered points to overturn the deficit and finish the contest with a 10-9 victory.

The triumph marked Sujeet Kalkal’s first Asian Games gold medal and added another significant achievement to his wrestling career. His victory also ensured that India opened its wrestling campaign at the Asian Games 2026 with a gold medal in the 65kg category.

Kalkal had to negotiate a challenging route to the final. Earlier in the competition, he recorded victories over wrestlers from Afghanistan, Iran and Japan to secure his place in the title clash. His semifinal against Japan’s Kotaro Kiyooka, the reigning Olympic champion, was particularly closely contested.

The semifinal ended 3-3, with Kalkal advancing on criteria to book his place in the final. The victory over Kiyooka added to the significance of his run, as the Japanese wrestler entered the bout as one of the leading names in the category. The 65kg wrestling category also has a notable history for India at the Asian Games. Yogeshwar Dutt won gold in the category in 2014, while Bajrang Punia claimed the title in 2018. Kalkal’s victory therefore adds his name to a list of Indian wrestlers who have achieved success in the division.

The Asian Games 2026 gold also strengthens India’s wrestling campaign at the tournament. Kalkal’s ability to recover from a seven-point deficit in the final made the victory particularly memorable and highlighted the competitive nature of the men’s freestyle events. With his 10-9 win over Kudiev, Sujeet Kalkal secured a major continental title and delivered India’s first wrestling gold medal at the Asian Games 2026.