Sujeet Kalkal rallies from 2-9 down to win Asian Games 65kg gold

06 Oct 2026, 07:50 am IST|
Sujeet Kalkal rallies from 2-9 down to win Asian Games 65kg gold
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Sujeet Kalkal recovered from 2-9 down to beat Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev 10-9 in the 65kg final at the Asian Games, winning gold two years after floods in Dubai cost him a chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

The 25-year-old wrestler's victory ended India's eight-year wait for a wrestling gold at the Games.

Kalkal said 'Fear may never completely go away' and added he is targeting Los Angeles 2028, saying he does not want to go to the Olympics just to participate - he wants gold.

Sujeet KalkalAbdulmazhid Kudiev65kgAsian GamesParis Olympics