Sujeet Kalkal claims India’s solitary gold medal at U-23 wrestling World Championships | More sports News
New Delhi: India’s Sujeet Kalkal became only the fourth Indian to ever claim a gold medal at the U23 World Wrestling Championships after defeating Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov by technical superiority in the men’s 65kg final in Serbia’s Novi Sad on Monday.Kalkal, a former U20 and U23 Asian champion, showed sharp tactical skills, defensive acumen, confident foot movement and precise counter-attacking moves to defeat the Uzbek wrestler by 10-0 and cap off country’s campaign in the event on a high.India finished with a total of nine medals at the age-group Worlds – with the nation’s women wrestlers securing an impressive seven-medal haul, including two silver won by Hansika Lamba (53kg) and Sarika Malik (59kg). In the men’s categories, Indian wrestlers claimed a medal each, with Maharashtra’s Vishvajit More settling for bronze in the greco-roman 55kg division. Kalkal, a former U20 world championships bronze medallist, conjured up some stunning wins throughout the competition to win the solitary goal for India. In the quarters, Kalkal defeated two-time U23 world champion Bashir Magomedov of UWW 4-2 and, in his last-four stage clash on Sunday evening, he recorded one of the biggest upsets of the tournament after scripting a thrilling, come-from-behind 3-2 victory over two-time U20 world champion Yuto Nishiuchi of Japan. Kalkal had pulled off an amazing two-point throw in the dying moments of his semis – three seconds from the hooter to be precise – to overpower Nishiuchi and secure his place in the 65kg title clash. At the previous edition of the U23 Worlds, Kalkal had won bronze in the same weight division. Prior to claiming his maiden U23 world title, Kalkal had two U23 Asian titles (2022, 2025) and one U20 Asian Championship gold (2022). Kalkal’s triumph also meant that he joined the elite list of Indian wrestlers with top podium finishes at the age-group Worlds. Chirag Chikkara won gold in the men’s 57kg in Tirana last year. Paris Olympics medallist Aman Sehrawat (men’s 57kg) in 2022 and Reetika Hooda (women’s 76kg) last year are the other two gold winners.
