Wrestling Worlds: 18-year-old Kajal wins silver, Neelam steps down to Yui Susaki

Indian wrestlers Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi ended their historic run at the World Championships on Wednesday, returning with two silver medals after losing their final matches in Astana, Kazakhstan.

In the fight for the title up to 76 kg, 18-year-old Kajal Dhochak faced Ukrainian Anastasia Alpyeeva. Making her senior World Championship debut after winning two back-to-back U20 World titles, Kajal came agonizingly close to gold when she went down 6-8 in a four-point sequence in the last 30 seconds. The match was tied at 4-4 before a late setback, leaving Kajal with the silver medal.

Still, she made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a World Heavyweight Championship medal.

Twenty-six-year-old Neelam faced a huge challenge against Japan’s four-time world champion Yui Susaki in the 50kg final. She lost by fall after trailing 0-5 to settle for silver in what was a landmark event for India.

The podium finish marked a new milestone for Indian wrestling as it was the first time that two Indian women had met in the finals at the same edition of the World Cup. Their medals add to the breakthrough of Anshu Malik, who became the first Indian woman to reach the finals of the 2021 World Championships, winning silver in the 57kg category.

KAJAL’S ENTRANCE

Kajal’s silver medal at the Senior World Championships adds another significant chapter to her rapid rise in international competition. The Haryana wrestler has already established himself as one of India’s brightest prospects by winning back-to-back World Under-20 titles.

In 2025, she won the women’s 72 kg title at the U20 World Championships, defeating China’s Liu Yuqi 8–6 in the final. She returned to the highest stage in 2026, this time winning gold in the category up to 76 kg with a commanding 7-0 victory over China’s Jingru Sun.

Her transition to a higher level was equally encouraging. Kajal’s campaign in Astana included wins over Lithuania’s Kamile Griskiene Gaucaite and Mongolia’s Davaanasan Enkh Amar before she staged one of the tournament’s most impressive comebacks in the semi-finals.

Kajal for Kyrgyz’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy 1-7 won 10-7 and secured her place in the final. Three-time World Championship medalist Medet Kyzy looked in control before the Indian launched her comeback in the second period.

Although Kajal did not become India’s first senior world champion, her silver medal on debut underscores her potential as she moves into senior international competition.

NEELAM’S PENETRATION

Neelam wins silver in women’s 50 kg category (UWW Photo)

Neelam’s silver medal was the culmination of a long journey through the domestic and international wrestling circuits. The 26-year-old hails from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh and comes from a family with a wrestling background. Her grandfather, uncles and sister were involved in the sport.

She trains at the Najafgarh Stadium in Delhi under the guidance of India Women’s Wrestling Head Coach Virender Dahiya along with coaches including Parvesh Rathi. Her progress to the final in Astana marked a major breakthrough after her previous appearance at the senior world championships ended without a medal.

Neelam opened her campaign with a 6-0 win over Natalia Varakina of Belarus. She then progressed through the quarter-finals after Russia’s Elizaveta Smirnova withdrew due to injury, before defeating Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayan 7-3 in the semi-finals.

Against Bayan, Neelam showed composure and attacking intent as she used a four-point roll to take control of the match and move to within one win of the world title.

Her final opponent, Susaki, presented a much sterner test. The Japanese wrestler is a four-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, making her one of the most successful competitors in the 50 kg category.

Neelam was unable to overcome Susaki in the final, but her progress to the gold medal match secured a historic silver and became a finalist at the World Championships.

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