Indian freestyle wrestler Sujeet Kalkal delivered one of the most dominant performances of the international wrestling season, storming to the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series title in Tirana, Albania with a stunning 10-0 technical superiority win over Azerbaijan’s Rashid Babazade in the men’s 65kg final.
The bout lasted just 78 seconds.
In a clinical display of control and mat awareness, the reigning U23 World Champion dismantled Babazade with a series of relentless attacks, finishing the contest through a perfectly executed leg lace sequence that left no room for recovery. The technical superiority victory not only sealed the gold medal but also underlined Sujeet’s growing authority in one of freestyle wrestling’s most competitive Olympic weight divisions.
Sujeet’s run to the title was marked by near-flawless execution across all rounds, as he accumulated a staggering 47 points while conceding just four through the entire tournament a statistic that reflects both offensive efficiency and defensive solidity.
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He began his campaign in the Round of 16 against Albania’s Endrio Avdyli, registering a commanding 16-4 win to move into the quarterfinals. From that point onward, the Indian wrestler did not concede a single point in three consecutive bouts.
In the quarterfinals, Sujeet overpowered Georgia’s Nika Zakashvili 10-0, using aggressive setups and swift transitions to secure another technical superiority win. The semifinal brought him face-to-face with experienced American Joseph McKenna a familiar opponent whom Sujeet had already defeated earlier this month.
Sujeet produced another shutout performance, blanking McKenna 11-0 to book his place in the final. It marked his second technical superiority win over the American in the same month, further highlighting his tactical edge and evolving mat strategy.
Final Statement Against Babazade
The gold medal bout against Rashid Babazade was expected to be Sujeet’s toughest challenge of the tournament. Instead, it turned into a demonstration of technical superiority from the outset. Sujeet initiated attacks early, forcing Babazade into defensive positions before converting exposure points through clean takedowns. Once he transitioned into the par terre position, the Indian wrestler executed a textbook leg lace rotating his opponent multiple times to race to a 10-point lead and end the bout inside the opening two minutes.
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The speed of execution and positional control throughout the exchange emphasised the tactical maturity Sujeet has developed since his U23 World Championship triumph.
Fourth Ranking Series Title
The Muhamet Malo gold marks Sujeet Kalkal’s fourth Ranking Series title, adding to an already impressive résumé at the senior international level:
- 2022 Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series (Tunisia)
- 2025 Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial (Hungary)
- 2026 Zagreb Open (Croatia)
- 2026 Muhamet Malo Ranking Series (Albania)
Significantly, this also represents his second Ranking Series final appearance in 2026, underlining his consistency across competitions in an Olympic cycle where ranking points carry heightened importance.
With the Ranking Series playing a crucial role in seeding and qualification pathways for major global championships, Sujeet’s latest triumph strengthens his position within the international 65kg hierarchy. More importantly, the manner of his victories three technical superiority wins in the knockout stages without conceding a point signals readiness for higher-stakes competition in the months ahead.
For Indian wrestling, which continues to produce depth across freestyle categories, Sujeet Kalkal’s rise adds another medal contender in a weight class traditionally dominated by established global powers.
If this campaign in Tirana is any indication, the 65kg division may soon have to contend with an Indian wrestler who is not just competing but dictating terms on the mat.
