Indian wrestling continued its strong early-season momentum as Sujeet Kalkal produced a flawless run to clinch the 65kg gold medal at the Zagreb Ranking Series, stamping his authority with a series of ruthless, technically superior performances.
The U23 World Champion was the only Indian wrestler to reach the final on the opening day of the tournament and ensured that his campaign ended in emphatic fashion, defeating Iran’s Peyman Ali Nemati 3–0 in the title bout.
What set Kalkal’s Zagreb triumph apart was not just the gold medal, but the manner in which it was achieved. Across three bouts against high-quality international opposition, the Indian wrestler did not concede a single point, underlining a level of control and composure that is rare even at the elite level of senior freestyle wrestling. In a Ranking Series event that directly influences seeding and qualification pathways for the remainder of the international season, Kalkal’s performance sent a clear message to the rest of the field.
Kalkal’s path to the gold began with a dominant quarterfinal outing against France’s Khamzat Arsamerzouev. From the opening whistle, the Indian wrestler imposed himself physically and tactically, using sharp movement and constant pressure to force errors. The bout was wrapped up quickly via technical superiority, with Kalkal racing to a 10–0 victory that barely allowed his opponent any room to settle.
The semifinal against American Joseph McKenna was expected to be sterner test, given McKenna’s experience on the international circuit. Instead, it turned into a demonstration of Kalkal’s evolution as a complete wrestler. Mixing speed with positional awareness, he dismantled the American with a relentless attack, registering another technical fall, this time by an 11–0 margin. The bout highlighted Kalkal’s ability to score from multiple situations off counter-attacks, transitions, and mat control while maintaining defensive discipline.
That set up a highly anticipated final against Peyman Ali Nemati of Iran, a nation synonymous with freestyle wrestling excellence. Finals against Iranian wrestlers are often attritional, demanding patience as much as aggression. Kalkal, however, showed maturity beyond his years. Rather than forcing the contest, he wrestled with clarity, controlling the centre, denying angles, and picking his moments. A composed 3–0 victory sealed the title, completing a tournament where he remained untouchable on the scoreboard.
The Zagreb gold marked Kalkal’s third Ranking Series title, adding to his earlier triumphs at the Zouhaier Sghaier event in 2022 and the Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial in 2025. The consistency of these results across multiple seasons and locations underlines his growing stature within the international wrestling circuit. More importantly, it provides valuable ranking points and confidence as he heads into a long and demanding season that will include further Ranking Series events, continental championships, and selection battles closer to home.
While Kalkal stole the spotlight, India had another wrestler in contention on the day. At 70kg, Abhimanyu reached the semifinals before being halted by Iran’s Sina Khalili. Though he fell short of a place in the final, Abhimanyu remains in the hunt for a bronze medal, keeping India’s medal prospects alive beyond the top of the podium.
From an Indian wrestling perspective, Kalkal’s Zagreb performance carries significance beyond a single gold medal. Ranking Series events are critical in shaping draws and match-ups later in the season, and clean runs such as this reduce the risk of early clashes with top seeds. Equally, victories over wrestlers from the United States, France, and Iran reinforce the belief that Indian wrestlers can dictate terms against traditional powerhouses when they execute their plans with precision.
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Technically, Kalkal’s Zagreb campaign reflected a wrestler who is comfortable dictating tempo. His ability to score early, manage leads, and shut down opponents’ scoring avenues points to a maturation in match management an area that often separates podium contenders from champions. The fact that he did not drop a single point across three bouts is testament to both defensive solidity and tactical clarity.
As the international wrestling calendar gathers pace, Sujeet Kalkal’s Zagreb gold serves as an early benchmark for Indian freestyle wrestling in 2026. It offers momentum, belief, and a reminder that India’s next generation is not just competing on the global stage, but increasingly controlling it.
