Kajal Dhochak, Neelam Sirohi win silver at World Wrestling Championships in Astana
Synopsis
For the first time in history, two Indian women stood in finals at the same Senior World Wrestling Championships — 18-year-old Kajal Dhochak and 26-year-old Neelam Sirohi both claimed silver in Astana. The milestone eclipses Anshu Malik's 2021 breakthrough and signals a generational shift in Indian women's wrestling.
Key Takeaways
Kajal Dhochak (18) and Neelam Sirohi (26) both won silver medals at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana on 28 October 2026 .
This is the first time two Indian women have competed in finals at the same edition of the Senior World Championships.
Kajal lost the 76kg final 6-8 to Ukraine's Anastasiya Alpyeyeva in her senior World Championships debut.
Neelam lost the 50kg final by fall to Japan's four-time world champion Yui Susaki after trailing 0-5 .
The milestone extends the legacy of Anshu Malik , the first Indian woman to reach a World Championships final in 2021 .
The final women's bouts in the 55kg and 59kg categories are scheduled for Thursday .
Indian wrestlers Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi made history at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 28 October 2026, becoming the first two Indian women to compete in finals at the same edition of the tournament. Both returned with silver medals, adding a landmark chapter to Indian women's wrestling.
Kajal's Silver in the 76kg Final
Kajal Dhochak, just 18 years old and making her senior World Championships debut, faced Ukraine's Anastasiya Alpyeyeva in the 76kg title bout. Kajal — a double U20 world champion — pushed hard in a tightly contested match but ultimately went down 6-8, settling for silver. Her path to the final had been remarkable: she recovered from a 1-7 deficit to defeat Kyrgyzstan's Aiperi Medet Kyzy 10-7 in the semifinals, having earlier beaten Lithuania's Kamile Griskiene Gaucaite and Mongolia's Davaanasan Enkh Amar in the earlier rounds.
Neelam's Silver in the 50kg Final
Neelam Sirohi, 26, faced arguably the toughest draw in the category — Japan's four-time world champion Yui Susaki — in the 50kg final. Neelam lost by fall after trailing 0-5, but her tournament run was commendable. She had secured her final berth with a composed 7-3 semifinal win over Kazakhstan's Zeinep Bayanova, following a 6-0 victory over Belarus' Natallia Varakina and a quarterfinal progression after Russia's Elizaveta Smirnova withdrew due to injury.
A Historic Milestone for Indian Women's Wrestling
The twin podium finishes represent a new high-water mark for Indian women's wrestling. This is the first time two Indian women have reached the finals at the same edition of the Senior World Championships. The milestone builds on the breakthrough by Anshu Malik, who became the first Indian woman to reach a World Championships final back in 2021. Notably, Kajal's achievement is particularly striking given she is still a teenager stepping directly from the junior circuit onto the world's biggest senior stage.
Rajnita's Campaign Ends in Repechage
In the 65kg category, Rajnita's campaign concluded in the repechage round. She lost 2-6 to Japan's Nana Ikehata, missing out on a bronze medal match berth. Her exit means India's medal tally from the women's events currently stands at two silvers.
What's Next at the Championships
The concluding women's wrestling bouts — covering the 55kg and 59kg weight categories — are scheduled for Thursday in Astana. India will look to extend its medal count as the final rounds of the tournament unfold.
Point of View
India's women's wrestling story was largely a Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia narrative; Anshu Malik's 2021 final appearance hinted at broader talent. Now Kajal Dhochak — a teenager making her senior debut — and Neelam Sirohi have validated that the pipeline is real. The harder question is whether the federation and the Sports Authority of India will invest in the coaching infrastructure and competitive exposure that turns silver into gold. Japan's Yui Susaki winning a fourth world title is a reminder of how deep sustained institutional investment runs.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi achieve at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships?
Both won silver medals at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan on 28 October 2026 — making it the first time two Indian women have competed in finals at the same edition of the tournament.
Who did Kajal Dhochak lose to in the 76kg final?
Kajal Dhochak lost to Ukraine's Anastasiya Alpyeyeva by a score of 6-8 in the 76kg final. It was Kajal's senior World Championships debut; she is an 18-year-old double U20 world champion.
Who did Neelam Sirohi face in the 50kg final?
Neelam Sirohi faced Japan's Yui Susaki, a four-time world champion, in the 50kg final. Neelam lost by fall after trailing 0-5.
Why is this result historic for Indian wrestling?
It is the first time two Indian women have reached the finals at the same edition of the Senior World Championships. The previous milestone was set by Anshu Malik in 2021, who became the first Indian woman ever to reach a World Championships final.
What happens next at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships?
The final women's wrestling bouts — in the 55kg and 59kg weight categories — are scheduled for Thursday in Astana, with India still in contention for further medals.
