India’s women wrestlers Neelam Sirohi and Kajal Dhochak delivered a landmark performance at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, winning silver medals after reaching the gold-medal bouts in their respective categories.
Although both fell short of the ultimate prize on Wednesday, October 28, their achievement marked the first time two Indian women competed in the finals at the same edition of the senior World Championships. The historic double podium finish also ended India’s five-year wait for a women’s wrestling silver at the World Championships, following Anshu Malik’s achievement in the 57kg category in 2021. However, India will have to wait longer for its first women’s world champion.
Neelam Sirohi took to the mat first in the women’s 50kg final against Japan’s four-time world champion Yui Susaki. The Indian wrestler faced a formidable opponent with an established record at the highest level of international wrestling. Susaki took control of the contest, building a 5-0 lead before eventually pinning Neelam in the first period. The defeat denied Neelam a historic gold medal, but her silver marked a significant milestone in her international career.
Neelam had demonstrated composure and tactical discipline throughout the tournament. She secured her place in the final with a 7-3 semifinal victory over Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova, navigating a challenging contest to become only the second Indian woman to reach a senior World Championships final. Her performance in Astana represents an important step forward for Indian women’s wrestling, particularly in a highly competitive 50kg division.
Eighteen-year-old Kajal Dhochak produced one of the most compelling runs of the tournament in the women’s 76kg category. Competing at the senior World Championships after winning two consecutive U20 world titles, Kajal demonstrated both resilience and attacking intent on her way to the final.
Her semifinal victory over Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy was a standout performance. Trailing 1-7, Kajal fought back with a series of takedowns to secure a memorable 10-7 win and book her place in the gold-medal bout. In the final, she faced Ukraine’s Anastasiya Alpyeyeva in a closely contested encounter. Kajal pushed her opponent throughout the bout, but Alpyeyeva produced decisive scoring moves late in the contest to secure an 8-6 victory.
Kajal had come within touching distance of gold, but the silver medal remained a major achievement. Her performance also made her the first Indian woman wrestler to win a World Championships medal in the 76kg category, underlining her potential at the senior international level. India’s campaign also saw disappointment in the women’s 65kg category, where Rajnita bowed out in the repechage round. She lost 6-2 to Japan’s Nana Ikehata, missing the opportunity to progress to the bronze-medal bout.
The women’s competition was scheduled to continue on Thursday, October 29, with the remaining 55kg and 59kg weight categories set to be decided, alongside the relevant repechage and medal matches in the 68kg and 72kg divisions.
India’s double silver at the World Wrestling Championships is more than a medal tally achievement. It signals progress in the depth and competitiveness of the country’s women’s wrestling programme. Neelam’s run to the 50kg final demonstrated the value of consistency against experienced international opponents, while Kajal’s comeback in the semifinals and narrow defeat in the final highlighted the potential of a new generation of Indian wrestlers.
The immediate challenge for India is to convert these breakthrough performances into world titles. Kajal, at just 18, has time to develop her tactical game and experience against elite senior opponents, while Neelam’s silver offers a significant foundation for future campaigns. For Indian wrestling, the outcome in Astana is both a historic achievement and a reminder of the final step that remains.
Two women reaching the same World Championships finals has opened a new chapter. Turning those opportunities into gold will be the next objective.
