Sujeet Kalkal stages stunning comeback to win wrestling gold

Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal scripted a remarkable comeback to clinch the gold medal in the men’s freestyle 65kg category at the Asian Games 2026 on Friday. Sujeet defeated Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev in the final, overturning a 2-9 deficit with just over a minute and a half remaining to secure the gold medal with 11 seconds left on the clock. The Tajik wrestler made a strong start, taking Sujeet out of the ring for two points before adding two more with a leg attack to lead 4-0. Sujeet responded with a two-point takedown, but Kudiev continued to score and extended his advantage to 5-2. He then managed another takedown and a four-point move to take a commanding 9-2 lead. 

WATCH HOW SUJEET KALKAL TURNED 9-2 DOWN INTO ASIAN GAMES GOLD.

Don’t blink.

With the clock running down, Tajikistan’s Abdulmajid Kudiev led 9-2 in the 65kg final.

Sujeet had almost no room left.

So he stopped defending.

He started hunting.

Attack. Point. Attack. Point.

9-2…

— nnis Sports|Asian GamesAthletics (@nnis_sports) October 2, 2026

With around a minute and 20 seconds remaining, Sujeet launched his comeback with a big takedown. He followed it with another two-pointer to reduce the deficit to 6-9. The Indian continued his relentless attacking approach, producing successive takedowns and completing the stunning comeback to win the bout with just 11 seconds remaining.