Dreaming Big at 8, Winning Big at 18: The Rise of Kajal Dhochak at Wrestling Worlds

Kajal Dhochak was around seven or eight when she first started training for wrestling. Even then, she had a picture of what success would look like. She wanted to stand on the stage, see the Indian flag being raised and hear the national anthem played.

That dream stayed with her. At 18, Kajal is already a two-time U-20 world champion and a silver medalist at the senior world championships. She became India’s first senior world champion within seconds before losing 6-8 to three-time European champion Anastasia Alpyeyeva in the women’s 76kg final.

But for Kajal, one defeat will not change the goal. She had already started looking ahead.

“The coaches and I were just thinking about the belt but this time it didn’t happen. No problem, I am still young and when I reach the age of those who are much older than me, I will collect many belts,” Kajal said at a virtual press conference facilitated by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

It’s the confidence built up by years of training with ambitions that have been clear since childhood.

CHILDHOOD’S DREAM

Wrestling was familiar territory in Kajal’s family. Her uncle competed in the sport, as did her brother. Watching them train and compete gave her an early connection to wrestling. She wanted to follow in their footsteps.

Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt were among other wrestlers who inspired her. Their successes helped shape her own ambitions. By the time she reached the under-15 cadet level, Kajal was already thinking beyond age group competitions. She focused on senior world championships and Olympic medals. Kajal’s impressive rise has been one of the main talking points in Indian wrestling. (Photo: Instagram)

She always saw herself competing in the 72-76 kg category. Even off the mat, her priorities were clear. She had little interest in going out or traveling. Her life revolved around training and home, with a bigger goal always in sight.

That focus meant making decisions that many kids her age wouldn’t consider. For Kajal, routine was part of the journey.

THE PRICE OF DREAMS

Speaking at a virtual press conference mediated by WFI, coach Virender Dahiya said the sacrifices made by young wrestlers often begin long before they reach a higher level. Some have spent eight to ten years training, giving up many things that children their age take for granted.

The food is carefully monitored. Girls are told to avoid eating out and bring food from home. Dahiya described non-food as “basically like poison to them”.

There are other limitations as well. Watching TV, going to the cinema and going on trips often take a back seat. Dahiya said athletes must develop self-control and put in years of hard work and physical exertion. Their lives require discipline far beyond the wrestling mat.

Kajal’s journey reflects this commitment. A childhood dream took years of consistency, and silver at the Senior World Championships is yet another reward for those efforts.

RENTAL OF LARGER GOALS

At the World Championships, Kajal showed grit on her way to the finals. In the semi-finals, she recovered from a 1:7 deficit and defeated Kyrgyz Aiperi Medet Kyzy 10:7.

The final turned out to be a much more exciting match. Kajal was tied 4-4 and ahead on criteria before Alpyeyeva managed a takedown with 20 seconds remaining. The Ukrainian won 8:6 and the Indian was left with silver.

Kajal said she didn’t feel overwhelmed by the opportunity. “There was no pressure at all. I don’t put any pressure before the match on how to fight; the coaches tell me how to fight and I just try to give 100%,” she said when asked by India Today.

But the finale left her with something to work on. With her focus on Olympic qualification next year, Kajal believes she needs to be more aggressive in the closing stages rather than retreating to a defensive approach. Looking back at the final, she realized that she should have focused on attacking in the final seconds.

Next year will be important for her Olympic ambitions. Kajal is aiming for the senior world title and the Olympic gold and silver in this edition only added to her motivation.

At the age of 18, she had already established herself. The senior world title and Olympic gold remain unfinished business. The dream she started chasing at the age of seven or eight is still very much alive.

– The end