Kajal stages stunning comeback, Neelam displays composure as Indian women’s wrestling reaches unprecedented milestone

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

ASTANA, OCTOBER 27, 2026

Indian women’s wrestling reached a historic landmark on Tuesday as Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi stormed into the finals of the World Championships, making India the first time in its history to have two women competing for gold at the same edition of the prestigious event.

Kajal will take on Ukraine’s Anastasiya Alpyeyeva in the 76kg final, while Neelam will face Japan’s Yui Susaki in the 50kg title clash. Their achievement marks a significant step forward for Indian women’s wrestling, building on Anshu Malik’s breakthrough in 2021, when she became the first Indian woman to reach a World Championships final and went on to win silver.

 “Having two Indian women in the World Championships finals is a proud moment for Indian wrestling. Kajal’s comeback showed tremendous belief and courage, while Neelam’s performance reflected her preparation and composure. Their success is a credit to the wrestlers, their coaches and everyone supporting them. We wish both athletes the very best as they compete for gold,” said Wrestling Federation of India president Sanjay Singh.

For 18-year-old Kajal, the final berth marks an impressive transition to the senior stage after she won two U20 world titles. Making her senior World Championships debut, Kajal displayed remarkable resilience in the semifinals, overturning a 1-7 deficit to defeat Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy 10-7 in a stirring comeback.

Kajal had earlier negotiated her way past Lithuania’s Kamile Griskiene Gaucaite and Mongolia’s Davaanasan Enkh Amar to set up the semifinal showdown. Her ability to recover under pressure proved decisive as she moved within one victory of a maiden senior world title.

Neelam, 26, was equally assured on her way to the final. She defeated Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova 7-3 in the semifinals after opening her campaign with a commanding 6-0 win over Belarus’ Natallia Varakina. She advanced through the quarterfinals after Russia’s Elizaveta Smirnova withdrew owing to injury.

The contrasting journeys of the two wrestlers have brought India to the threshold of an unprecedented double triumph. While Kajal’s campaign has been defined by youthful aggression and a stirring comeback, Neelam has relied on composure and preparation to navigate a challenging field.

Both will now have an opportunity to convert a historic day for Indian wrestling into an even greater achievement by winning gold. Their performances have already strengthened India’s presence on the global women’s wrestling stage, regardless of the outcome of the finals.

Elsewhere, Rajnita remains in contention for a bronze medal in the 65kg category. She will face Japan’s Nana Ikehata in the repechage after an eventful campaign that included an 8-6 victory over 2024 World Championships silver medallist Kateryna Zelenykh before she lost to Moldova’s Irina Ringaci.

Neha Sharma’s campaign in the 57kg category ended in the round of 16, while India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers concluded their campaign without a medal.