Indian wrestlers achieve historic breakthrough at World Championships

Indian women’s wrestling reached a landmark milestone at the World Championships in Astana, with debutants Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi both advancing to the gold medal bouts. This marks the first time in the event's history that two Indian women will compete for the world title in the same edition.

In the 50kg category, 26-year-old Neelam Sirohi defeated Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova 7-3 to set up a final against Japan’s Yui Susaki. In the 76kg category, 18-year-old Kajal Dhochak secured her place in the final after a 10-7 comeback victory against Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy, overcoming a 1-7 deficit in the first period. Dhochak will face Ukraine’s Anastasiya Alpyeyeva for the gold.

In the men’s Greco-Roman competition, Lalit advanced to the bronze medal bout following a 7-0 victory over the United States’ Max Emiliano Nowry. He is scheduled to face Kazakhstan’s Iskhar Kurbayev for the medal. Other Indian competitors, including Nitesh Siwach, Karanjit, and Joginder Rathee, were eliminated in their opening rounds.