Astana, October 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian wrestlers Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi won silver medals at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, achieving a historic milestone by becoming the first two Indian women to reach the finals at the same edition of the tournament.
Eighteen-year-old Kajal, competing in the 76kg category, narrowly missed out on gold after losing 6-8 to Ukraine’s Anastasiya Alpyeyeva. Making her senior World Championships debut after winning two U20 world titles, Kajal delivered a determined performance against her Ukrainian opponent.
Her run to the final included a remarkable semifinal comeback against Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy. Trailing 1-7, Kajal fought back to secure a 10-7 victory. She had earlier defeated Lithuania’s Kamile Griskiene Gaucaite and Mongolia’s Davaanasan Enkh Amar.
In the 50kg final, 26-year-old Neelam faced Japan’s four-time world champion Yui Susaki. Neelam lost by fall after trailing 0-5, finishing with silver after an impressive campaign.
She had secured her place in the final with a 7-3 semifinal victory over Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova. Earlier, she defeated Belarus’ Natallia Varakina 6-0 and advanced through the quarterfinals after Russia’s Elizaveta Smirnova withdrew due to injury.
The double podium finish marks another significant moment for Indian women’s wrestling following Anshu Malik’s achievement in 2021, when she became the first Indian woman to reach a World Championships final.
Meanwhile, Rajnita’s campaign in the 65kg category ended in the repechage round after she lost 2-6 to Japan’s Nana Ikehata, missing out on a chance to compete for bronze.
The women’s competition will conclude on Thursday, with the 55kg and 59kg categories still to be decided.
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