CM Nayab Saini Hails Sujit Kalkal's Asian Games Gold

Key Takeaways

Sujit Kalkal won the gold medal in men's 65 kg wrestling at Asian Games 2026 .

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini publicly congratulated Kalkal on 2 October 2026 via X.

CM Saini praised Kalkal's 'powerful moves, fighting spirit, and unbreakable courage.' Haryana has a long tradition of producing elite wrestlers who represent India on continental and global stages.

The achievement highlights Haryana's continued dominance in Indian wrestling at the highest international level.

A wrestler from Haryana just planted the tricolour at the top of the podium — and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was among the first to salute him. On Friday, 2 October 2026, CM Saini took to X to congratulate Sujit Kalkal on winning the gold medal in the men's 65 kg wrestling event at Asian Games 2026.

Posting in Hindi, CM Saini wrote: 'हरियाणा के लाल ने कुश्ती में लहराया तिरंगा!' — 'Haryana's son has waved the tricolour in wrestling!' He praised Kalkal's 'powerful moves, fighting spirit, and unbreakable courage' for bringing honour to the nation.

Sujit Kalkal — Haryana's Son on the Gold-Medal Mat

Sujit Kalkal competes in the 65 kg freestyle wrestling category and is one of the prominent young grapplers to emerge from Haryana, a state that has historically produced a disproportionate share of India's elite wrestlers. His gold at Asian Games 2026 marks a significant milestone — a continental championship title that cements his standing among India's best on the mat. Haryana's wrestling culture runs deep, fed by generations of akhadas, state-level nurturing, and an infrastructure that has consistently channelled rural talent onto international podiums. Kalkal's triumph is the latest chapter in that long story.

Haryana's Wrestling Belt and What It Means for the State

For CM Saini, celebrating a Haryana athlete's gold is both a moment of genuine pride and a signal of the state government's continued emphasis on sports infrastructure and athlete welfare. Haryana has, over the years, backed its athletes with cash awards, government jobs, and dedicated training facilities — policies that help explain why a state of roughly 28 million people regularly punches well above its weight on national and international podiums. Kalkal's gold is not just a medal — it is a validation of that ecosystem, and a reminder that the wrestling mats of Haryana continue to produce champions who carry the tricolour to the highest steps. At Asian Games 2026, every gold in the wrestling hall is a story of discipline measured in early mornings and punishing weight cuts. Kalkal's story, celebrated today from the Chief Minister's office, will now be told in akhadas across the state. The next Haryana wrestler watching this moment is already training harder.

Point of View

Publicly celebrating this moment reinforces his government's identity as a champion of athlete welfare and rural sporting talent. At a broader level, India's wrestling programme continues to mature on the Asian circuit, with Haryana athletes frequently at the tip of the spear. Kalkal's Asian Games gold raises expectations ahead of future world-level competitions.

NationPress

2 Oct 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sujit Kalkal?

Sujit Kalkal is a freestyle wrestler from Haryana, India, who competes in the 65 kg weight category and won gold at Asian Games 2026.

What did Sujit Kalkal win at Asian Games 2026?

Sujit Kalkal won the gold medal in the men's 65 kg wrestling event at Asian Games 2026.

Why did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini congratulate Sujit Kalkal?

CM Nayab Singh Saini congratulated Kalkal because he is a wrestler from Haryana who brought gold to India at Asian Games 2026, reflecting pride in the state's sporting legacy.

Why does Haryana produce so many wrestlers?

Haryana has a deeply rooted wrestling culture supported by traditional akhadas, state government sports schemes, cash incentives for medal winners, and dedicated training infrastructure.

When did CM Saini post about Sujit Kalkal's gold medal?

CM Nayab Singh Saini posted his congratulatory message on Friday, 2 October 2026 on the social media platform X.