SportsPosted at: Oct 2 2026 3:41PM


Sujeet storms back from 2-9 down to win Asian Games wrestling gold

Aichi-Nagoya, Oct 2 (UNI) Nine points down, time running out and an Asian Games gold seemingly slipping away, Sujeet Kalkal produced a breathtaking fightback to snatch a 10-9 victory over Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev in the men’s 65kg freestyle final here on Friday.
For much of the opening half, it was Kudiev who dictated the contest.
Sujeet struggled to contain the Tajik’s aggressive leg attacks and conceded two early takedowns. The Indian managed to fight back briefly with his quick footwork, but Kudiev struck again, adding another takedown and a turnover to race into a commanding 9-2 lead.
At the halfway mark, Sujeet was staring at a seven-point deficit.
Then came the turnaround.
The reigning Asian champion returned for the second half with renewed urgency, attacking with greater speed and precision. Takedown after takedown brought him back into the contest as Kudiev, who had looked firmly in control, suddenly found himself under immense pressure.
Sujeet cut the gap before producing another takedown to move ahead 10-9.
From 2-9 down, the Indian had completed a stunning eight-point swing.
The final seconds became a test of nerve. Sujeet held his ground, denied Kudiev the opening he desperately needed and stayed ahead until the final whistle to complete a remarkable comeback and claim the gold.
The victory ended India's eight-year wait for a men's freestyle wrestling gold at the Asian Games.
It was India's ninth gold medal in men's freestyle wrestling at the continental Games and the third in the 65kg category, following Yogeshwar Dutt's triumph in 2014 and Bajrang Punia's gold in 2018.
For Sujeet, the reigning Asian champion, the gold will be remembered for the manner in which it was won — not by controlling the final from the start, but by refusing to accept defeat when he was seven points behind.
UNI BDN
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