Neelam Sirohi, Kajal Dhochak Win Historic Silvers as India’s Women’s Wrestling Gold Wait Continues

India’s wait for its first women’s world wrestling champion continued on Wednesday, but Neelam Sirohi and Kajal Dhochak scripted history by reaching the gold medal bouts at the World Championships in Astana. Both wrestlers settled for silver, marking the first time India had two women competing in world championship finals at the same edition.

Neelam faced Japan’s Yui Susaki, a four-time world champion, in the women’s 50kg final. Susaki had not conceded a point throughout the tournament and had suffered just one defeat in her career.

Neelam held her own for nearly three minutes before Susaki found an opening, secured a takedown and pinned the Indian to claim her fifth world title.

In the women’s 76kg final, Kajal Dhochak came agonisingly close to defeating Ukraine’s Anastasiya Alpyeyeva, a three-time European champion.

After a closely contested opening period, the score stood at 2-2. Both wrestlers traded takedowns in the second period to make it 4-4, with Kajal holding the advantage on criteria after scoring the last point.

However, Alpyeyeva struck with 20 seconds remaining, taking the lead with a decisive takedown and additional points. Kajal responded with a two-point takedown with five seconds left, but the Ukrainian held on for an 8-6 victory.

Kajal’s silver capped an impressive campaign, highlighted by a stunning 10-7 comeback win over Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy in the semifinals after trailing 1-7. The two-time U20 world champion showed remarkable resilience to reach the final.

Before this edition, Anshu Malik was the only Indian woman to reach a senior World Championships final. India’s only world wrestling champion remains Sushil Kumar, who won the title in 2010.

Elsewhere, Nishu, Srishti, Rajnita and Neha Sangwan suffered defeats in their respective bouts. Tanu Sharma remained in contention for bronze through repechage after her opponent advanced to the final.