For Sujeet Kalkal, the decisive moments of a wrestling bout are not about panic or making desperate moves. They are about staying patient, securing points and continuing to fight until the final breath. That was the mindset the Indian wrestler carried into his final bout at the 2026 Asian Games, where he won gold for the country. With the stakes high and little time to think on the mat, Kalkal knew that composure and conviction could make the difference. “I had in mind that we have to be patient and cover the points. We have to fight till our last breath, and the blessings of the people of the country are with us. We should not let the flag of the country fall,” Kalkal told WION in an exclusive interview.<h2>Sujeet Kalkal's wrestling philosophy: Trust the basics</h2>In wrestling, opponents rarely arrive without a plan. They study match footage, analyse techniques and look for weaknesses they can exploit. Kalkal is no different, but his approach is built around refining his strengths rather than constantly changing his style. Asked how he prepares for opponents who may have studied his bouts, the Indian wrestler explained that there is little time to overthink once a contest begins. The key, he suggested, is to understand the opposition's weaknesses and know when to use the techniques that have been practised repeatedly. “We don't change much in our wrestling. We have been doing the same thing for 15-20 years,” he said.&nbsp;For Kalkal, repetition is not a limitation; it is the foundation of consistency. Wrestlers may have different styles and preferred moves, but the ability to execute a familiar technique at the right moment can determine the outcome of a closely fought contest. He believes every wrestler has one or two techniques capable of changing a match, which is why athletes continue to practise them until they become instinctive.<h2>From years of practice to the Asian Games podium</h2>Kalkal's gold medal is the product of years spent building his skills on the mat. His journey began early. He took up wrestling at the age of four under the guidance of his father, Dayanand, a former international Greco-Roman wrestler who later worked as a coach with the Sports Authority of India. The early years laid the groundwork for a career that would see him emerge as one of India's promising wrestling talents. He went on to win the U23 World Wrestling Championships, strengthening his reputation on the international circuit.<h2>Why Sujeet Kalkal wants Pro Wrestling League every year</h2>Beyond his own performances, Kalkal believes the future of Indian wrestling depends on creating more opportunities for athletes to compete. One platform he wants to see sustained is the Pro Wrestling League (PWL), which brings wrestlers together in a professional team-based competition. “I suggest the Pro Wrestling League do it every year,” he said. Kalkal believes an annual league would help elevate wrestling in India and contribute to the country's medal ambitions. Regular competition can give wrestlers another platform to test themselves, develop their match strategies and gain experience against strong opposition.&nbsp;His own association with the league has also brought him into the spotlight. At the 2026 PWL auction, Delhi Dangal Warriors secured Kalkal for Rs 52 lakh following a three-way bidding contest involving UP Dominators and Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals. His base price was Rs 12 lakh, making the final bid more than four times that amount.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/just-install-a-bowling-machine-chahal-reacts-to-flat-tracks-after-west-indies-250-run-chase-1791636642205"> ‘Just install a bowling machine’: Chahal reacts to flat tracks after West Indies’ 250-run chase</a><h2>The next target: The World Championships</h2>For an athlete who has just reached the top of the Asian Games podium, there is little temptation to take an extended break from ambition. Asked about his next tournament and whether he would make any special changes to his preparation, Kalkal returned to the same principle that guides his wrestling: focus on the weaknesses of the opponent and continue working on the details. Rather than suggesting a dramatic overhaul, his response pointed towards continuity, identifying areas that need improvement while maintaining the techniques that have served him well.<h2>A gold medal — and a burger in Japan</h2>There is also a lighter side to the discipline that defines a wrestler's life. Strict diets and demanding training schedules leave little room for indulgence, making the moments after a major competition all the more satisfying. For Kalkal, the answer to what he had missed was simple: a burger. Asked whether he had eaten it in Japan or waited until returning to India, he revealed that he had enjoyed one in Japan itself.&nbsp;His family's reaction to the Asian Games gold was equally personal. Kalkal said his family was delighted, adding that everyone had hoped he would win after seeing how many years he had spent practising. “I have been practising for so many years,” he said, reflecting on the achievement.

Asian Games 2026 gold medallist Sujeet Kalkal opens up on his winning mindset, wrestling techniques, World Championships goals and why he wants PWL every year

For Sujeet Kalkal, the decisive moments of a wrestling bout are not about panic or making desperate moves. They are about staying patient, securing points and continuing to fight until the final breath. That was the mindset the Indian wrestler carried into his final bout at the 2026 Asian Games, where he won gold for the country. With the stakes high and little time to think on the mat, Kalkal knew that composure and conviction could make the difference. “I had in mind that we have to be patient and cover the points. We have to fight till our last breath, and the blessings of the people of the country are with us. We should not let the flag of the country fall,” Kalkal told WION in an exclusive interview. Sujeet Kalkal's wrestling philosophy: Trust the basics In wrestling, opponents rarely arrive without a plan. They study match footage, analyse techniques and look for weaknesses they can exploit. Kalkal is no different, but his approach is built around refining his strengths rather than constantly changing his style. Asked how he prepares for opponents who may have studied his bouts, the Indian wrestler explained that there is little time to overthink once a contest begins. The key, he suggested, is to understand the opposition's weaknesses and know when to use the techniques that have been practised repeatedly. “We don't change much in our wrestling. We have been doing the same thing for 15-20 years,” he said. For Kalkal, repetition is not a limitation; it is the foundation of consistency. Wrestlers may have different styles and preferred moves, but the ability to execute a familiar technique at the right moment can determine the outcome of a closely fought contest. He believes every wrestler has one or two techniques capable of changing a match, which is why athletes continue to practise them until they become instinctive. From years of practice to the Asian Games podium Kalkal's gold medal is the product of years spent building his skills on the mat. His journey began early. He took up wrestling at the age of four under the guidance of his father, Dayanand, a former international Greco-Roman wrestler who later worked as a coach with the Sports Authority of India. The early years laid the groundwork for a career that would see him emerge as one of India's promising wrestling talents. He went on to win the U23 World Wrestling Championships, strengthening his reputation on the international circuit. Why Sujeet Kalkal wants Pro Wrestling League every year Beyond his own performances, Kalkal believes the future of Indian wrestling depends on creating more opportunities for athletes to compete. One platform he wants to see sustained is the Pro Wrestling League (PWL), which brings wrestlers together in a professional team-based competition. “I suggest the Pro Wrestling League do it every year,” he said. Kalkal believes an annual league would help elevate wrestling in India and contribute to the country's medal ambitions. Regular competition can give wrestlers another platform to test themselves, develop their match strategies and gain experience against strong opposition. His own association with the league has also brought him into the spotlight. At the 2026 PWL auction, Delhi Dangal Warriors secured Kalkal for Rs 52 lakh following a three-way bidding contest involving UP Dominators and Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals. His base price was Rs 12 lakh, making the final bid more than four times that amount. Also Read: ‘Just install a bowling machine’: Chahal reacts to flat tracks after West Indies’ 250-run chase The next target: The World Championships For an athlete who has just reached the top of the Asian Games podium, there is little temptation to take an extended break from ambition. Asked about his next tournament and whether he would make any special changes to his preparation, Kalkal returned to the same principle that guides his wrestling: focus on the weaknesses of the opponent and continue working on the details. Rather than suggesting a dramatic overhaul, his response pointed towards continuity, identifying areas that need improvement while maintaining the techniques that have served him well. A gold medal — and a burger in Japan There is also a lighter side to the discipline that defines a wrestler's life. Strict diets and demanding training schedules leave little room for indulgence, making the moments after a major competition all the more satisfying. For Kalkal, the answer to what he had missed was simple: a burger. Asked whether he had eaten it in Japan or waited until returning to India, he revealed that he had enjoyed one in Japan itself. His family's reaction to the Asian Games gold was equally personal. Kalkal said his family was delighted, adding that everyone had hoped he would win after seeing how many years he had spent practising. “I have been practising for so many years,” he said, reflecting on the achievement.

Asian Games gold medallist Sujeet Kalkal discusses his winning mindset, wrestling techniques, World Championships preparations and the future of PWL

‘Fight till our last breath’: Sujeet Kalkal on Asian Games gold, wrestling and PWL

Recently crowned Asian champion in the men’s freestyle 65kg category, Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal has climbed to the world No. 1 spot in the latest rankings released by United World Wrestling. The 2025 U23 World Champion moved ahead of Rahman Mousa Amouzad and Olympic gold medallist Kotaro Kiyooka to claim the top ranking. In an exclusive conversation with WION’s Aditya Bhatia, the 23-year-old reflected on his rise to the summit of world wrestling.&nbsp;Speaking about the shift in his mindset and preparation, the Zagreb Open gold medallist said, “My performance has improved a lot since last year. I have become a professional wrestler, competing at the senior national level and in several ranking series events. This has given me a lot of experience and learning opportunities, which has helped improve my wrestling.”&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-we-ve-identified-areas-says-lungi-ngidi-as-dc-look-to-recover-from-consecutive-defeats-1776338993493">IPL 2026: ‘We’ve identified areas,’ says Lungi Ngidi as DC look to recover from consecutive defeats</a>&nbsp;When asked whether being world No. 1 brings confidence or pressure, he responded, “I don’t feel any pressure. I feel good. I feel confident that I am the world’s number one wrestler. It boosts my confidence.”&nbsp;On his future goals and Olympic preparations, Sujeet shared that winning a medal for the country at the Olympics has long been his father’s dream. He added that he is training intensely for the challenge, with preparations already underway for the prestigious event.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-aims-to-help-dc-win-their-maiden-ipl-title-auqib-nabi-dar-on-ipl-2026-goals-1774624021612">‘Aim is to help DC win their maiden IPL title’: Auqib Nabi Dar on IPL 2026 goals</a>&nbsp;So far, Sujeet's portfolio is quite impressive.&nbsp;He clinched gold at the 2022 U-23 Asian Championships and the U-23 World Championships and followed it up with another top finish at the Zagreb Open 2026 (65 kg category).&nbsp;With his current form, he looks well-positioned to be a strong medal contender for India at the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

So far, Sujeet's portfolio is quite impressive. He clinched gold at the 2022 U-23 Asian Championships and the U-23 World Championships and followed it up with another top finish at the Zagreb Open 2026 (65 kg category).

Recently crowned Asian champion in the men’s freestyle 65kg category, Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal has climbed to the world No. 1 spot in the latest rankings released by United World Wrestling. The 2025 U23 World Champion moved ahead of Rahman Mousa Amouzad and Olympic gold medallist Kotaro Kiyooka to claim the top ranking. In an exclusive conversation with WION’s Aditya Bhatia, the 23-year-old reflected on his rise to the summit of world wrestling. Speaking about the shift in his mindset and preparation, the Zagreb Open gold medallist said, “My performance has improved a lot since last year. I have become a professional wrestler, competing at the senior national level and in several ranking series events. This has given me a lot of experience and learning opportunities, which has helped improve my wrestling.” Also Read - IPL 2026: ‘We’ve identified areas,’ says Lungi Ngidi as DC look to recover from consecutive defeats When asked whether being world No. 1 brings confidence or pressure, he responded, “I don’t feel any pressure. I feel good. I feel confident that I am the world’s number one wrestler. It boosts my confidence.” On his future goals and Olympic preparations, Sujeet shared that winning a medal for the country at the Olympics has long been his father’s dream. He added that he is training intensely for the challenge, with preparations already underway for the prestigious event. Also Read - ‘Aim is to help DC win their maiden IPL title’: Auqib Nabi Dar on IPL 2026 goals So far, Sujeet's portfolio is quite impressive. He clinched gold at the 2022 U-23 Asian Championships and the U-23 World Championships and followed it up with another top finish at the Zagreb Open 2026 (65 kg category). With his current form, he looks well-positioned to be a strong medal contender for India at the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

So far, Sujeet's portfolio is quite impressive.&nbsp;He clinched gold at the 2022 U-23 Asian Championships and the U-23 World Championships and followed it up with another top finish at the Zagreb Open 2026 (65 kg category).

Pressure or confidence? World champion wrestler Sujeet Kalkal on becoming No. 1

World U-23 champion Sujeet and Abhimanyou registered contrasting victories in their respective men’s freestyle final bouts to help India clinch two gold medals on the penultimate day of the 2026 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday (April 11).<h2>Sujeet wins gold</h2>Sujeet, who has been unbeaten so far this year, totally dominated the men’s 65kg freestyle final against Umidjon Jalolov of Uzbekistan to register an 8-1 win and become the first Indian since Bajrang Punia’s 2019 triumph to win the Asian Championships gold medal in this weight category.&nbsp;Sujeet started slowly in the opening round as Jalolov held his ground and did not allow the Indian to attack. But the 23-year-old Indian was quick off the blocks at the start of the second round and went on to register his fifth victory over the Uzbek wrestler.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;A few minutes later, Abhimanyou made it a double celebration for the Indian camp as he fought back from a 0-2 deficit to beat Tulga Tumur Ochir of Mongolia 5-3 in the men’s 70kg freestyle final.&nbsp;Sandeep Mann had the chance to complete a hat-trick of gold medals for India, but he went down 1-2 in a closely contested final bout in the men’s 79kg category.&nbsp;Earlier, Ankush defeated Fuga Sasaki of Japan 8-2 to clinch the men’s 57kg freestyle bronze to take India’s overall medals tally to two gold, four silver and eight bronze medals.&nbsp;India will have a shot at two more gold medals on the final day of competition as Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman (men’s 61kg Freestyle) and Mukul Dahiya (men’s 86kg Freestyle) sealed their final berths.&nbsp;Aman, who had won the bronze medal in Paris in the 57kg weight category and Asian Championships gold in the same weight category two years ago, is playing in a higher weight category in Bishkek. In the semi-final, Aman displayed his tenacity in a bout that went down to the wire to beat Ahmad Mohammadnezhadjavan of Iran 11-9.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;He will now take on North Korea’s Kwang M Kim, who defeated Gulomjon Abdullaev of Uzbekistan by fall in the other semi-finals.&nbsp;In the 86kg category, Mukul Dahiya conceded six points early in the semi-final bout against Bolat Sakayev of Kazakhstan, but then scored two crucial takedowns to find his momentum and went on to beat his opponent 12-6 and seal the final berth. He will now face Kamran Ghasempour of Iran for the gold medal.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Dinesh will challenge for the bronze medal in the men’s 125kg freestyle category after he lost the semi-final against Shamil Sharipov of Bahrain by fall.

Sujeet, who has been unbeaten so far this year, totally dominated the men’s 65kg freestyle final against Umidjon Jalolov of Uzbekistan to register an 8-1 win and become the first Indian since Bajrang Punia’s 2019 triumph to win the Asian Championships gold medal in this weight category.

World U-23 champion Sujeet and Abhimanyou registered contrasting victories in their respective men’s freestyle final bouts to help India clinch two gold medals on the penultimate day of the 2026 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday (April 11). Sujeet wins gold Sujeet, who has been unbeaten so far this year, totally dominated the men’s 65kg freestyle final against Umidjon Jalolov of Uzbekistan to register an 8-1 win and become the first Indian since Bajrang Punia’s 2019 triumph to win the Asian Championships gold medal in this weight category. Sujeet started slowly in the opening round as Jalolov held his ground and did not allow the Indian to attack. But the 23-year-old Indian was quick off the blocks at the start of the second round and went on to register his fifth victory over the Uzbek wrestler. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions A few minutes later, Abhimanyou made it a double celebration for the Indian camp as he fought back from a 0-2 deficit to beat Tulga Tumur Ochir of Mongolia 5-3 in the men’s 70kg freestyle final. Sandeep Mann had the chance to complete a hat-trick of gold medals for India, but he went down 1-2 in a closely contested final bout in the men’s 79kg category. Earlier, Ankush defeated Fuga Sasaki of Japan 8-2 to clinch the men’s 57kg freestyle bronze to take India’s overall medals tally to two gold, four silver and eight bronze medals. India will have a shot at two more gold medals on the final day of competition as Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman (men’s 61kg Freestyle) and Mukul Dahiya (men’s 86kg Freestyle) sealed their final berths. Aman, who had won the bronze medal in Paris in the 57kg weight category and Asian Championships gold in the same weight category two years ago, is playing in a higher weight category in Bishkek. In the semi-final, Aman displayed his tenacity in a bout that went down to the wire to beat Ahmad Mohammadnezhadjavan of Iran 11-9. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL He will now take on North Korea’s Kwang M Kim, who defeated Gulomjon Abdullaev of Uzbekistan by fall in the other semi-finals. In the 86kg category, Mukul Dahiya conceded six points early in the semi-final bout against Bolat Sakayev of Kazakhstan, but then scored two crucial takedowns to find his momentum and went on to beat his opponent 12-6 and seal the final berth. He will now face Kamran Ghasempour of Iran for the gold medal. Meanwhile, Dinesh will challenge for the bronze medal in the men’s 125kg freestyle category after he lost the semi-final against Shamil Sharipov of Bahrain by fall.

Sujeet, who has been unbeaten so far this year, totally dominated the men’s 65kg freestyle final against Umidjon Jalolov of Uzbekistan to register an 8-1 win and become the first Indian since Bajrang Punia’s 2019 triumph to win the Asian Championships gold medal in this weight category.

Asian Wrestling Championships 2026: Sujeet, Abhimanyou clinch gold medals as India’s medals tally swells to 14

Meenakshi Goyat added the third silver medal to India’s tally in the women’s 53kg category, while three of the five men’s Freestyle wrestlers in action on Friday sealed their spots in the gold medal bout of their respective weight category in the 2026 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Monika (women’s 65kg) and Harshita (women’s 72kg) then signed off with bronze medals to take India’s overall medals tally into double figures – three silver and seven bronze.&nbsp;India’s sole gold medal hope on Friday rested on Meenakshi, who had fought back from the brink in the semi-finals to reach this far. However, the 25-year-old was not at her best on Friday and went down 10-0 against China’s Jin Zhang.&nbsp;While Meenakshi’s loss came as a heartbreak for the Indian contingent, Monika and Harshita lifted their spirits with clinical performances to clinch the bronze medals.Monika defeated Hanbit Lee of South Korea 9-0 to win the bronze in the women’s 65kg category, while Harshita got the better of Sevinchoy Polvonova 5-0 in the women’s 72kg bronze medal bout.&nbsp;Earlier, India’s men’s freestyle wrestlers showcased their growing stature on the continental stage as U-23 world champion Sujeet (65kg), Abhimanyou (70kg) and Sandeep Mann (79kg) sealed their final berth.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;In the 65kg freestyle semi-final, Sujeet defeated Abdulmazhid Kudiev of Tajikistan 7-2. The 23-year-old, winner of two Ranking Series earlier this year, had beaten Kyrgyzstan’s Rustamzhan Kakharov by technical superiority in the quarterfinals. He will now face Umidjon Jalolov of Uzbekistan in a rematch of the U23 world championships final that the Indian had won comfortably.&nbsp;Abhimanyou then surprised defending champion Ernazar Akmataliev of Kyrgyzstan 6-3 in a late twist to reach the men’s 70kg freestyle final, where he will face Tumur Ochir of Mongolia.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;Sandeep Mann will be the third Indian wrestler in the final on Saturday after the 26-year-old displayed total dominance to beat Somonjon Ikromov of Tajikistan 10-0 in the 79kg freestyle semi-final. He will now face Japan’s Keyvan Gharehdaghi in the gold medal bout.Among the other two men wrestlers in contention on Friday, Vicky will contest for the bronze medal in the 97kg category after he lost his semi-final bout against Amirali Azarpira of Iran 0-2.&nbsp;In the men’s 57kg freestyle, Ankush will challenge Fuga Sasaki of Japan for the bronze medal after Milad Validazeh, against whom he lost the quarter-finals, reached the final.

India’s sole gold medal hope on Friday rested on Meenakshi, who had fought back from the brink in the semi-finals to reach this far. However, the 25-year-old was not at her best on Friday and went down 10-0 against China’s Jin Zhang.

Meenakshi Goyat added the third silver medal to India’s tally in the women’s 53kg category, while three of the five men’s Freestyle wrestlers in action on Friday sealed their spots in the gold medal bout of their respective weight category in the 2026 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Monika (women’s 65kg) and Harshita (women’s 72kg) then signed off with bronze medals to take India’s overall medals tally into double figures – three silver and seven bronze. India’s sole gold medal hope on Friday rested on Meenakshi, who had fought back from the brink in the semi-finals to reach this far. However, the 25-year-old was not at her best on Friday and went down 10-0 against China’s Jin Zhang. While Meenakshi’s loss came as a heartbreak for the Indian contingent, Monika and Harshita lifted their spirits with clinical performances to clinch the bronze medals. Monika defeated Hanbit Lee of South Korea 9-0 to win the bronze in the women’s 65kg category, while Harshita got the better of Sevinchoy Polvonova 5-0 in the women’s 72kg bronze medal bout. Earlier, India’s men’s freestyle wrestlers showcased their growing stature on the continental stage as U-23 world champion Sujeet (65kg), Abhimanyou (70kg) and Sandeep Mann (79kg) sealed their final berth. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions In the 65kg freestyle semi-final, Sujeet defeated Abdulmazhid Kudiev of Tajikistan 7-2. The 23-year-old, winner of two Ranking Series earlier this year, had beaten Kyrgyzstan’s Rustamzhan Kakharov by technical superiority in the quarterfinals. He will now face Umidjon Jalolov of Uzbekistan in a rematch of the U23 world championships final that the Indian had won comfortably. Abhimanyou then surprised defending champion Ernazar Akmataliev of Kyrgyzstan 6-3 in a late twist to reach the men’s 70kg freestyle final, where he will face Tumur Ochir of Mongolia. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Sandeep Mann will be the third Indian wrestler in the final on Saturday after the 26-year-old displayed total dominance to beat Somonjon Ikromov of Tajikistan 10-0 in the 79kg freestyle semi-final. He will now face Japan’s Keyvan Gharehdaghi in the gold medal bout. Among the other two men wrestlers in contention on Friday, Vicky will contest for the bronze medal in the 97kg category after he lost his semi-final bout against Amirali Azarpira of Iran 0-2. In the men’s 57kg freestyle, Ankush will challenge Fuga Sasaki of Japan for the bronze medal after Milad Validazeh, against whom he lost the quarter-finals, reached the final.

India’s sole gold medal hope on Friday rested on Meenakshi, who had fought back from the brink in the semi-finals to reach this far. However, the 25-year-old was not at her best on Friday and went down 10-0 against China’s Jin Zhang.

Asian Wrestling Championships: Meenakshi Goyat bags silver; Sujeet, Abhimanyou & Sandeep to fight for gold

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) recently announced that the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) is set to make a comeback in January 2026. The league was last held in 2019 and was then temporarily suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many top wrestlers, including World and Olympic medalists are expected to take part in the league. In an exclusive freewheeling chat with WION, India’s young wrestler Sujeet Kalkal shared his views on the comeback of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL).&nbsp;&nbsp;The 23-year-old said that the “league will be a great opportunity for everyone, especially for budding wrestlers and competing on the same platform with world-class wrestlers will help them to gain valuable experience and will help them to improve their performance in future tournaments.” Sujeet also said he is very excited about the league and will give his best to win a medal in his weight category.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/barcelona-lamine-yamal-grabbed-cristiano-ronaldo-attention-with-his-mention-in-award-speech-1766990907080">Barcelona's Yamal grabbed Cristiano Ronaldo's attention with his mention in award speech</a>&nbsp;Sujeet recently won a gold medal at the 2025 U-23 World Championship (65kg freestyle) and talking about this achievement, he said “the journey was not easy. He credited his father, who is also his coach, for supporting him through every challenge and helped him to reach this level.”&nbsp;When asked about his signature move, the “bagal doop,” Sujeet said that he learned this move from his coach at a very young age and has practiced it for many years. Speaking about his future goals, he said “his next target is to win gold at the upcoming Senior Asian Championships in Kyrgyzstan”. He also shared that he has already started preparing for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA.&nbsp;So far, Sujeet's portfolio is quite impressive. He won gold at the 2022 U-23 Asian Championships and followed it up with another gold at the recent U-23 World Championship.

So far, Sujeet's portfolio is quite impressive. He won gold at the 2022 U-23 Asian Championships and followed it up with another gold at the recent U-23 World Championship.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) recently announced that the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) is set to make a comeback in January 2026. The league was last held in 2019 and was then temporarily suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many top wrestlers, including World and Olympic medalists are expected to take part in the league. In an exclusive freewheeling chat with WION, India’s young wrestler Sujeet Kalkal shared his views on the comeback of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL). The 23-year-old said that the “league will be a great opportunity for everyone, especially for budding wrestlers and competing on the same platform with world-class wrestlers will help them to gain valuable experience and will help them to improve their performance in future tournaments.” Sujeet also said he is very excited about the league and will give his best to win a medal in his weight category. Also Read - Barcelona's Yamal grabbed Cristiano Ronaldo's attention with his mention in award speech Sujeet recently won a gold medal at the 2025 U-23 World Championship (65kg freestyle) and talking about this achievement, he said “the journey was not easy. He credited his father, who is also his coach, for supporting him through every challenge and helped him to reach this level.” When asked about his signature move, the “bagal doop,” Sujeet said that he learned this move from his coach at a very young age and has practiced it for many years. Speaking about his future goals, he said “his next target is to win gold at the upcoming Senior Asian Championships in Kyrgyzstan”. He also shared that he has already started preparing for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA. So far, Sujeet's portfolio is quite impressive. He won gold at the 2022 U-23 Asian Championships and followed it up with another gold at the recent U-23 World Championship.

So far, Sujeet's portfolio is quite impressive. He won gold at the 2022 U-23 Asian Championships and followed it up with another gold at the recent U-23 World Championship.

WION Exclusive: World Champion Sujeet Kalkal backs PWL 2026 as boost for Indian wrestling, says ‘great chance for budding players to…’

sujeet-kalkal

Sujeet Kalkal, News on Sujeet Kalkal, stories on Sujeet Kalkal, articles on Sujeet Kalkal, Sujeet Kalkal stories at Wion, Sujeet Kalkal news, Sujeet Kalkal latest news

sujeet kalkal

‘Fight till our last breath’: Sujeet Kalkal on Asian Games gold, wrestling and PWL

Pressure or confidence? World champion wrestler Sujeet Kalkal on becoming No. 1

Asian Wrestling Championships 2026: Sujeet, Abhimanyou clinch gold medals

Asian Wrestling C'hips: Meenakshi bags silver; Sujeet & others to fight for gold

WION Exclusive: World Champ Sujeet hails return of PWL in 2026