Asian Games 2026: Sujeet Kalkal wins first wrestling gold, beats Olympic champion

Sujeet had earlier outclassed Afghanistan’s Sayed Omar Zazai by technical superiority (13-3) to begin his campaign, and produced a clinical performance against Iran’s Abbas Ebrahimzadehsavadkouhi in the quarterfinal. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu Sujeet Kalkal underlined his growing supremacy in the men's 65 kg wrestling category, clinching the Asian Games gold in Nagoya on Friday (October 2, 2026), while defeating an Olympic champion en route to the title, to crown a stunning year of domination.Asian Games 2026 Medal TallyHe had already beaten stronger Iranian and Japanese rivals on his way to the final, and there was no doubt that the 23-year-old Sujeet would win his first Asian Games gold. But Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev made it challenging for the Indian. Sujeet fell behind 2-9, before scoring eight points in a row in a dramatic turnaround for a sensational victory.Asian Games 2026 LIVE: Boxers Lovlina, Parveen, Ankush strike Asian Games goldSujeet had earlier outclassed Afghanistan's Sayed Omar Zazai by technical superiority (13-3) to begin his campaign, and produced a clinical performance against Iran's Abbas Ebrahimzadehsavadkouhi in the quarterfinal, winning by technical superiority without conceding a point. He then prevailed 3-3 on criteria against Japan's Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka in the semifinal. Published - October 02, 2026 04:07 pm IST