BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan : As the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships unfold in Bishkek, all eyes are on India’s emerging star Sujeet in the men’s 65 kg freestyle category. Riding a wave of impressive performances this year, Sujeet enters the championships as the favourite for the gold medal, potentially ending India’s seven-year wait for a continental title outside the 57 kg weight class.
Unbeaten Form and Road to Bishkek
At 23 years old, Sujeet arrives in Bishkek unbeaten in 2026, having captured gold at both the Zagreb Open and the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series earlier this year. These victories have solidified his status as India’s top medal contender in the 65 kg bracket.
“I don’t think much about anything,” Sujeet said ahead of his matches. “I say the name of God and step on the mat… I am happy that I wrestle at 65kg because India has a decent history at this weight. I will also try to carry it forward.”
India’s last Asian Championship gold in men’s freestyle was in 2019 when Bajrang Punia triumphed at 65 kg in Xi’an, China a standard Sujeet now aims to emulate.
Sujeet’s path to gold will not be easy. The 65 kg field boasts several formidable opponents:
Takara Suda (JPN) — Last year’s Asian champion at 61 kg, now moving up a class. Known for his scoring ability, Suda is widely viewed as Sujeet’s biggest threat.
Umidjon Jalolov (UZB) — A world bronze medallist whom Sujeet holds a 4-0 head-to-head record against, though injury forced Sujeet out of their last clash at the Asian Championships.
Peyman Nemati (IRI) — The Iranian challenged Sujeet in the Zagreb Open final, pushing him on all fronts despite a 3-0 loss.
Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK) and Rustamzhan Kakharov (KGZ) — Both bring dangerous styles that could threaten Sujeet’s campaign.
From Humble Beginnings to International Medal Contender
Sujeet hails from Imlota, Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, where he first stepped onto a makeshift akhara and faced early setbacks, including district and state-level losses. His father, Dayanand Kalkal, a former national-level wrestler, encouraged him, and the move to Sonipat in 2021 — a hub for elite wrestling — marked a turning point in his career.
He earned his first major international medal — a bronze at the 2022 U20 World Championships — before progressing to senior ranks and national titles. Despite heartbreaks in Olympic qualifiers and World Championships where narrow losses kept him from podium finishes, Sujeet’s resilience has kept him on an upward trajectory.
What’s at Stake in Bishkek
A gold medal at Bishkek would place Sujeet among the elite in the global 65 kg class, a milestone many see as the next step in India’s wrestling evolution. With his technical skills, recent results, and growing confidence, Sujeet is not just a contender — he is India’s best hope for gold in this weight category at the 2026 Asian Championships.
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