Sujeet Kalkal’s wait for a World Championships medal continued as the Indian wrestler suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the men’s 65kg quarterfinals on Thursday. Sujeet lost 3-3 on criteria to Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev, bringing his 24-match winning streak to an end.The defeat was a major setback for Sujeet, who had enjoyed an impressive run over the past year. He won seven titles during this period, including the U23 World Championships, the 2026 Asian Championships and the Asian Games.His last defeat before Thursday had come in the repechage round of the World Championships in Zagreb last year. The loss to Kudiev also ended India’s hopes of seeing a second world champion after Sushil Kumar, who won the title in 2010.
Kudiev turns the tables on Sujeet
Sujeet had beaten Kudiev in the Asian Games final after making a remarkable comeback. Trailing 2-9, the Indian scored eight straight points to secure the gold medal.However, the Tajik wrestler had the last laugh this time in a closely fought quarterfinal.Sujeet conceded the first point for passivity but moved ahead 2-1 with a takedown just five seconds before the end of the first period. Kudiev was then penalised for passivity, allowing the Indian to increase his lead to 3-1.The contest took a dramatic turn in the final 30 seconds.Sujeet attempted a takedown near the edge of the mat but could not put Kudiev in a danger position. The Tajik wrestler then countered with a takedown of his own.The mat referee did not award Sujeet two points for his move, but the chair umpire gave him the points. Kudiev was also awarded a point for a step-out, leaving Sujeet ahead 5-2.The Tajik corner challenged the decision and won. Sujeet’s two points were cancelled, while Kudiev received two points for his takedown. The score was level at 3-3.Sujeet needed a decisive move in the final seconds but could not find a way past Kudiev. The Tajik wrestler held on to win on criteria because he had scored the last point.
Sujeet had started with two convincing wins
Before the quarterfinal, Sujeet had looked in control of his campaign.He opened with a commanding 12-1 win over Switzerland’s Nino Leutert by technical superiority. He then defeated Belarus’ Islam Guseinov 4-0 to reach the quarterfinals.But his winning run ended against the same wrestler he had beaten for Asian Games gold, leaving him still searching for his first senior World Championships title.
Tanu enters bronze medal bout, Manisha reaches semifinals
India had some positive results in the women’s events, with Tanu Sharma advancing to the bronze medal bout in the 72kg category.Tanu defeated Tunisia’s Zainab Sghaier 5-4 in the repechage round to stay in the medal race. However, Srishti was eliminated after losing her women’s 68kg repechage bout to American Kennedy Blades.Experienced wrestler Manisha Bhanwala moved into the women’s 59kg semifinals with a comfortable 6-0 victory over Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu. Earlier, she had beaten Canada’s Laurence Beauregard by fall.
Ahilya wins one bout, Vicky exits in quarterfinals
In the women’s 55kg category, Ahilya Shinde began with an 8-1 win over Cuba’s Yaynelis Sanz Verdecia. However, she could not hold on to a 3-0 lead against Turkey’s Tuba Demir and went down 6-9.In the men’s 97kg category, Vicky reached the quarterfinals after beating Sarco Colmenarez 8-2 and Radu Letter 10-0.His run ended in the last eight, where Japan’s Arash Yoshida defeated him 12-2 by technical superiority.
