Wrestling World Championships 2026: Kajal, Neelam advance to finals

FILE PHOTO: India’s Kajal Dhochak (in pic) will be up against two-time European Champion Anastasiya Alpyeyeva of Ukraine in the 76kg final on Sunday. | Photo Credit: WRESTLING FEDERATION OF INDIA

Two-time U20 world champion Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi confirmed at least two medals for India at the World Wrestling Championships by storming into the finals of the women’s 76kg and 50kg categories respectively on Tuesday.

Kajal came from 1-7 down to beat Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy, last edition’s silver medallist, 10-7 in a thrilling semifinal bout. In the summit clash on Sunday, the 18-year-old India will be up against two-time European Champion Anastasiya Alpyeyeva of Ukraine.

Earlier, Kajal produced a convincing 9-2 victory over Mongolia’s Davaanasan Enkh Amar to advance to the last-four stage. She had begun her campaign by recording a ‘victory by fall’ over Lithuania’s Kamile Griskiene Gaucaite.

In the 50kg semifinals, Neelam took down local favourite Zeinep Bayanova 7-3 to set up the final against legendary Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki.

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Neelam blanked Belarus’ Natallia Varakina 6-0 in her 50kg pre-quarterfinal bout and advanced to the last four after top seed Russian Elizaveta Smirnova withdrew from the quarterfinals due to an injury.

Neelam stood out with her fast-paced attacks and strong defence when Varakina mounted a challenge.

In the women’s 65kg category, Rajnita pulled off a notable upset in the women’s 65kg category, stunning 2024 World silver medallist Kateryna Zelenykh 8-6 in a qualification bout. She later lost her pre-quarterfinal bout by technical superiority to Irina Ringaci. Since the wrestler from Moldova has reached the final, Rajnita will be back in action in the repechage with the aim of clinching the bronze medal.

Neha Sharma advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the women’s 57kg category with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Algeria’s Achouak Djamila Tekouk but went down 1-4 to Belarus’ Iryna Kurachkina in the next round.

India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers drew a blank with only Lalit (55kg) making the medal round while the others cut a sorry figure.