Sujeet Kalkal Dominates to Win Gold at Muhamet Malo 2026 in Albania
Synopsis
In a stunning display of wrestling prowess, Sujeet Kalkal has won the gold medal in the men's 65kg freestyle category at the Muhamet Malo 2026 tournament in Albania. His flawless performance included four matches won by technical superiority, solidifying his status as a top competitor.
Key Takeaways
Sujeet Kalkal won gold in the men’s 65kg freestyle at the Muhamet Malo 2026 .
He achieved victory with four matches won by technical superiority.
Defeated Rashid Babazade in the final, scoring 10-0.
This win marks his second consecutive gold in the 2026 UWW Ranking Series.
India fielded a 48-member wrestling team for this event.
Tirana, Albania – February 26 (NationPress) – U23 world champion Sujeet Kalkal has secured the gold medal in the men's 65kg freestyle division at the Muhamet Malo 2026 wrestling event. He achieved this remarkable feat by winning four consecutive matches with technical superiority.
The 23-year-old Indian wrestler showcased exceptional skill, defeating Azerbaijan’s Rashid Babazade with a score of 10-0 in the final match. His journey to the top included a decisive 11-0 victory over the USA’s two-time Pan American champion Joseph McKenna in the semifinal, following a 10-0 win against Nika Zakashvili from Georgia in the quarter-finals. Sujeet began his campaign with a dominant 16-4 win over Albania's Endrio Avdyli.
This victory marks Sujeet’s second consecutive gold medal in the 2026 UWW Ranking Series, adding to his recent success at the Zagreb Open in Croatia earlier this month.
Facing Endrio Avdyli first, Sujeet dominated with a 16-4 victory, despite Avdyli’s early four-point throw. Next, he dispatched Nika Zakashvili with a score of 10-0, before an impressive semifinal performance against Joseph McKenna, replicating the same score as in the Zagreb Open semifinals.
Rashid Babazade, who had pulled off an impressive buzzer-beater four-pointer in his semifinal against Vitali Arujau of the USA to win 16-13, could not contend with Sujeet’s prowess in the final, succumbing to a 10-0 defeat.
Overall, this triumph marks Sujeet’s fourth gold medal in the UWW circuit, having previously won at the 2022 Zouhaier Sghaier and the 2025 Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial.
Meanwhile, India’s Mohit Kumar, who also competed in the same category, did not advance past the qualifying round.
In the 57kg division, both Ankush and Atish Todkar fought through repechage but fell short in their respective bronze medal matches. Other competitors, including Sumit (57kg), Rahul (61kg), Siddharth (70kg), Parvinder (74kg), and Aryan (86kg), also did not reach the medal rounds in their weight classes.
India sent a robust team of 48 wrestlers to the Muhamet Malo 2026, comprising 16 competitors each in men’s freestyle, women’s divisions, and Greco-Roman categories.
Point of View
It's essential to spotlight Sujeet Kalkal's remarkable achievement at the Muhamet Malo 2026 tournament. His continuous success not only exemplifies his dedication and skill but also elevates India's reputation in the global wrestling arena. This victory inspires future generations of athletes in the country.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sujeet Kalkal?
Sujeet Kalkal is an accomplished Indian wrestler and U23 world champion known for his exceptional skills in freestyle wrestling.
What medal did Sujeet Kalkal win at the Muhamet Malo 2026?
Sujeet Kalkal won the gold medal in the men’s 65kg freestyle category at the Muhamet Malo 2026 wrestling tournament.
How many matches did Sujeet Kalkal win to claim the gold?
Sujeet Kalkal won four consecutive matches by technical superiority to secure the gold medal.
What was the score in Sujeet's final match?
In the final match, Sujeet Kalkal defeated Rashid Babazade of Azerbaijan with a score of 10-0.
Which other tournaments has Sujeet Kalkal won recently?
Sujeet Kalkal recently won a gold medal at the Zagreb Open earlier this month, adding to his accolades.
