Double History: Kajal and Neelam Smash Records to Reach World Wrestling Finals
History made as Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi become the first two Indian women to reach World Championships finals in the same edition.
Indian wrestling has entered a golden era as Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi scripted a historic milestone at the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. For the first time in the history of the sport, India has two women competing for gold medals in the same edition of the championships.
The Road to Gold
The duo has put the global wrestling community on notice, securing their spots in the finals through grit and tactical brilliance. Kajal Dhochak will battle Ukraine’s Anastasiya Alpyeyeva for the 76kg title, while Neelam Sirohi is set to face Japan’s Yui Susaki in the 50kg final.
This achievement marks a significant leap forward from 2021, when Anshu Malik became the first Indian woman to reach a World Championships final and secure a silver medal. Now, India doubles that presence on the grandest stage.
Kajal’s Miraculous Comeback
The 18-year-old Kajal Dhochak has proven that age is just a number. After dominating the U20 circuit with two world titles, she made a seamless transition to the senior stage. Her semifinal match was a masterclass in resilience; trailing 1-7 against Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy, Kajal staged a stunning recovery to win 10-7.
Her journey to the final was paved with victories over Mongolia’s Davaanasan Enkh Amar and Lithuania’s Kamile Griskiene Gaucaite, showcasing her readiness to dominate the senior category.
Neelam’s Composed Charge
The 26-year-old Neelam Sirohi displayed immense composure throughout her campaign. She punched her ticket to the final with a decisive 7-3 victory over Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova in the semifinals.
Neelam's path to the gold medal match included a dominant 6-0 win over Belarus’ Natallia Varakina. She also advanced through the quarterfinals following the injury withdrawal of Russia’s Elizaveta Smirnova.
WFI Celebrates the Milestone
"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," said Sanjay Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India.
Other Indian Campaigns
While the spotlight shines on the two finalists, other Indian athletes also fought bravely:
- Rajnita: Still in the hunt for a bronze medal in the 65kg category. She will face Japan’s Nana Ikehata in the repechage. Her tournament highlighted a strong 8-6 win over 2024 world silver medallist Kateryna Zelenykh before she fell to Moldova’s Irina Ringaci.
- Neha Sharma: Her campaign in the 57kg category came to an end in the round of 16.
- Greco-Roman: The Indian contingent in the Greco-Roman style concluded their campaign without securing a medal.
As Kajal and Neelam prepare for their respective finals, the nation watches with bated breath, hoping they can turn this historic achievement into India's first-ever world title in these categories.