24 wins, seven titles, one heartbreaking loss: Wrestler Sujeet Kalkal’s streak ends

Sujeet Kalkal (Image credit: X) Sujeet Kalkal’s wait for a World Championship medal continued as the Indian wrestler suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the men’s 65kg quarterfinals on Thursday. Sujeet lost 3-3 on criteria to Abdulmazhid Kudiev of Tajikistan, ending his 24-match winning streak.The defeat was a major setback for Sujeet, who had enjoyed an impressive run in the past year. He has won seven titles during this period, including the Under-23 World Cup, the 2026 Asian Championship and the Asian Games.His last defeat before Thursday came last year in the second round of the World Championships in Zagreb. The loss to Kudijev also ended India’s hopes of seeing a second world champion after Sushil Kumar, who won the title in 2010.

Kudiev turns the tables on Sujeet

Sujeet defeated Kudiev in the Asian Games final after a remarkable comeback. At 2-9, the Indian scored eight points in a row to clinch the gold medal.However, the Tajik wrestler had the last laugh this time in a tight quarter-final.Sujeet conceded the first point for passivity but made it 2-1 with just five seconds left in the first period. Kudiev was subsequently penalized for passivity, allowing the Indian to extend his lead to 3-1.The match took a dramatic turn in the last 30 seconds.Sujeet tried for a takedown near the edge of the mat but couldn’t get Kudiev into a dangerous position. The Tajik wrestler then countered with a shot of his own.The mat judge did not give Sujeet two points for his move, but the head judge gave him points. Kudiev was also awarded a point to advance, leaving Sujeet 5-2 up.The Tajik Horn challenged this decision and won. Sujeet’s two points were canceled while Kudiev got two points for his takedown. The score was tied at 3:3.Sujeet needed a decisive move in the final seconds but was unable to find a way past Kudiev. The Tajik wrestler won by criteria, as he won the last point.

Sujeet started with two convincing wins

Before the quarter finals, Sujeet was in control of his campaign.He opened with a commanding 12-1 win over Switzerland’s Nino Leutert by technical superiority. He then defeated Islam Guseinov of Belarus 4-0 to reach the quarterfinals.However, his winning run ended against the same wrestler he defeated for the Asian Games gold, leaving him still in search of his first senior world title.

Tanu enters the bronze medal match, Manisha reaches the semi-finals

India had some positive results in the women’s events, with Tanu Sharma advancing to the bronze medal in the 72kg category.Tanu beat Tunisia’s Zainab Sghaier 5-4 in the reparation round to stay in contention for a medal. However, Srishti was eliminated after losing the women’s 68kg rematch to American Kennedy Blades.Veteran wrestler Manisha Bhanwala advanced to the women’s 59kg semi-finals with a comfortable 6-0 win over Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu. Before that, she defeated Canadian Laurence Beauregard by fall.

Ahilya wins one match, Vicky exits in the quarter finals

In the women’s 55 kg category, Ahilya Shinde started with an 8-1 win over Cuba’s Yaynelis Sanz Verdecia. However, she could not hold a 3-0 lead against Turkey’s Tuba Demir and lost 6-9.In the men’s 97kg category, Vicky reached the quarter-finals after defeating Sarco Colmenarez 8-2 and Radu Lettera 10-0.His run ended in the round of 16, where Japan’s Arash Yoshida defeated him 12-2 by technical advantage.