New Delhi, October 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
For Asian Games gold medallist wrestler Sujeet Kalkal, winning a medal for India is celebration enough. With the Wrestling World Championships scheduled in Kazakhstan later this month, the 23-year-old said another gold for the country would be his Diwali.
“Winning a gold medal for the country at the Asian Games — that itself is Diwali for me,” Sujeet said during a press conference organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Wednesday.
The wrestler from Imlota village in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district said his competition schedule has often kept him away from home during festivals. He recalled his father’s advice that bringing home a gold medal was equivalent to celebrating both Diwali and Holi.
Sujeet, the reigning Asian champion, produced a dramatic comeback to win the 65kg freestyle gold at the 2026 Asian Games. He first defeated Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka of Japan before overcoming Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev 10-9 in the final.
Trailing 2-9 after the opening period, Sujeet reduced the deficit to 9-8 with around 1:40 remaining before securing a two-point takedown to move ahead and seal the gold.
Reflecting on the final, he said he struggled to warm up properly at the beginning but found his rhythm in the second period.
“I established a good grip in the second period, and every attack I attempted was successful. By the end of the match, I had covered all the points,” he said.
Sujeet will now turn his attention to the UWW World Championships in Astana, scheduled from October 24 to November 1. He described the event as even tougher than the Olympics and said his preparation would focus on correcting mistakes from previous competitions.
The SAI Sonepat trainee also credited the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), SAI and the Wrestling Federation of India for facilitating overseas training in Russia and Armenia.
He said training alongside world, Asian and Olympic medallists in Russia provided valuable exposure ahead of the major competitions.
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