Indian women's wrestling reached an unprecedented milestone on Tuesday as debutants
The 26-year-old Neelam Sirohi was the first to confirm her spot, defeating Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova 7-3 in the 50kg semifinal. Her victory makes her only the second Indian woman to ever reach a world final, following in the footsteps of 2021 silver medallist Anshu Malik. Shortly after, 18-year-old Kajal Dhochak joined her in the record books by orchestrating a dramatic comeback victory in the 76kg category.
A Landmark Day for Indian Wrestling
Kajal’s path to the final was defined by resilience and tactical composure. Facing the experienced Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan, the teenager found herself trailing 1-7 early in the first period after a difficult start that saw her nearly pinned. Despite the deficit, she remained composed, executing a series of aggressive maneuvers to claw her way back into the contest. By utilizing a double-leg attack and capitalizing on her opponent's movements, Kajal secured a 10-7 victory that left the arena stunned.
Neelam, who hails from a wrestling family in Mathura, has been training under the guidance of chief coach Virender Dahiya and Parvesh Rathi. Her journey to the final included a 6-0 victory over Belarus’ Natallia Varakina and a walkover in the quarterfinals following the withdrawal of top seed Elizaveta Smirnova. She now faces a formidable challenge in the final against Japanese wrestling icon Yui Susaki.
Redemption After Domestic Setbacks
The success of both wrestlers is particularly notable given their recent struggles on the domestic circuit. Both athletes had previously failed to qualify for the Asian Games after losing their respective final trial bouts. According to coach Virender Dahiya, the turnaround is a testament to their dedication and the technical adjustments made in their training regimen.
The coaching staff emphasized that the focus has been on enhancing endurance and diversifying attacking variations. While Kajal prepares for her final against Ukraine’s European champion Anastasiya Alpyeyeva, the Indian camp remains optimistic about their chances. Elsewhere in the tournament, Rajnita continues to compete for a bronze medal in the 65kg category following an upset win over Kateryna Zelenykh, while Neha Sharma was eliminated in the 57kg division. The performance of the women’s squad stands in stark contrast to the Greco-Roman team, which struggled to make an impact during the event.
