Dreaming big at 8, winning big at 18: Kajal Dhochak's rise at Wrestling Worlds

Kajal Dhochak was around seven or eight when she first started training in wrestling. Even then, she had a picture of what success would look like. She wanted to stand on a podium, see the Indian flag rise and hear the national anthem play.That dream has stayed with her. At 18, Kajal is already a two-time U20 world champion and a senior World Championships silver medallist. She came within seconds of becoming India's first woman senior world champion before losing 6-8 to three-time European champion Anastasiya Alpyeyeva in the women's 76kg final.For Kajal, though, one defeat won't change the target. She has already started looking ahead."The coaches and I were just thinking about the belt, but it didn't happen this time. No problem, I am still young, and when I reach the age of those who are much more senior to me, I will collect many belts," Kajal said in a virtual press conference facilitated by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). It's a confidence built over years of training, with ambitions that have been clear since childhood.A CHILDHOOD DREAMWrestling was familiar territory in Kajal's family. Her uncle competed in the sport, as did her brother. Watching them train and compete gave her an early connection with wrestling. She wanted to follow in their footsteps. Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt were among the other wrestlers who inspired her. Their achievements helped shape her own ambitions. By the time she reached the under-15 cadet level, Kajal was already thinking beyond age-group competitions. She had set her sights on the senior World Championships and Olympic medals. Kajal's impressive rise has been one of the big talking points in Indian wrestling. (Photo: Instagram) The 72-76kg category was where she always saw herself competing. Away from the mat, too, her priorities were clear. She had little interest in going out or travelling. Her life revolved around training and home, with the bigger goal always in view.That focus meant making choices many children her age wouldn't have had to consider. For Kajal, the routine was part of the journey.THE PRICE OF DREAMSCoach Virender Dahiya said in the virtual press conference facilitated by the WFI that the sacrifices made by young wrestlers often begin long before they reach the senior level. Some have spent eight to 10 years training, giving up many of the things children their age take for granted.Food is closely monitored. The girls are told to avoid outside food and bring meals from home. Dahiya described outside food as "essentially like poison to them".There are other restrictions, too. Watching television, going to movies and outings often take a back seat. Dahiya said the athletes have to develop self-restraint and put in years of hard work and physical exertion. Their lives demand discipline well beyond the wrestling mat.Kajal's journey reflects that commitment. The childhood dream has required years of consistency, and the silver medal at the senior World Championships is another reward for that effort.CHASING BIGGER TARGETSAt the World Championships, Kajal showed her fighting spirit on the way to the final. In the semi-final, she recovered from a 1-7 deficit to beat Kyrgyzstan's Aiperi Medet Kyzy 10-7.The final proved a much tighter contest. Kajal was level at 4-4 and ahead on criteria before Alpyeyeva managed a takedown with 20 seconds remaining. The Ukrainian went on to win 8-6, leaving the Indian with silver.Kajal said she didn't feel overwhelmed by the occasion. "There was no pressure at all. Before the bout, I don’t take any pressure about how to fight; the coaches tell me how to fight, and I just try to give my 100%," she said in response to a query by India Today.But the final did leave her with something to work on. With Olympic qualification coming into focus next year, Kajal believes she needs to be more aggressive in the closing stages rather than retreating into a defensive approach. Looking back at the final, she realised she should have focused on attacking in the last few seconds.Next year will be important for her Olympic ambitions. Kajal is targeting a senior World Championships title and an Olympic gold, and the silver in this edition has only added to her motivation.At 18, she has already made her mark. The senior world title and Olympic gold remain unfinished business. The dream she began chasing at seven or eight is still very much alive.- Ends