Indian Wrestling Silver medals won by Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi marked a historic moment for Indian women’s wrestling at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships. Both wrestlers reached the gold-medal bouts in Astana, Kazakhstan, and finished with silver medals on 28 October 2026. Kajal competed in the women’s 76kg category, while Neelam took part in the 50kg category. For the first time, two Indian women reached the finals at the same edition of the senior World Wrestling Championships.

Kajal Dhochak Wins Silver in the 76kg Category

Eighteen-year-old Kajal Dhochak delivered a strong performance in the women’s 76kg final. She faced Ukraine’s Anastasiya Alpyeyeva, a European champion, in a closely fought contest. Kajal lost the match 6-8 and secured the silver medal.

The final remained competitive until the closing moments. Kajal continued to challenge her opponent and brought the score level at 4-4 before Alpyeyeva scored important points late in the bout.

Kajal’s silver medal was significant because she became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the 76kg category at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. She also entered the senior world event after winning two consecutive Under-20 world titles, showing her ability to compete successfully at different levels.

Neelam Sirohi Takes Silver in the 50kg Final

Neelam Sirohi won the second silver medal for India in the women’s 50kg category. The 26-year-old wrestler faced Japan’s Yui Susaki, one of the leading names in international wrestling.

Susaki won the final by fall after taking a 5-0 lead. A win by fall happens when a wrestler holds an opponent’s shoulders against the mat under the rules of the sport. Neelam could not stop Susaki from finishing the bout, but her journey to the final earned her a place among the top performers at the championships.

Neelam reached the final after defeating Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova 7-3 in the semifinals. Her silver medal was an important achievement in her international career and added to India’s medal tally at the event.

A Historic Result for Indian Women’s Wrestling

The two medals marked a major milestone for Indian women’s wrestling. Before the 2026 championships, Anshu Malik was the only Indian woman to have reached a senior World Wrestling Championships final. She won silver in the 57kg category in Oslo, Norway, in 2021.

Kajal and Neelam changed that record by reaching the finals in two different weight categories at the same event. Although both narrowly missed gold, their performances showed that Indian wrestlers can challenge some of the strongest competitors in the world.

Kajal’s result was particularly important for the heavier weight categories, where India had not previously won a senior World Championships medal in the women’s 76kg division. Neelam’s performance also added another Indian name to the list of women who have reached a world final.

Understanding the World Wrestling Championships

The World Wrestling Championships bring together athletes from different countries to compete for world titles in several weight categories. The international governing body for the sport is United World Wrestling.

Women’s wrestling at the championships follows freestyle rules. Wrestlers use techniques such as takedowns, holds and turns to score points. A match can end through a points victory, technical superiority or a fall, depending on the result and the rules applied.

Weight categories help athletes compete against opponents within a defined weight range. Neelam competed at 50kg, while Kajal competed at 76kg. Their performances in Astana highlighted the depth of talent in Indian women’s wrestling.

What These Medals Mean for India

The Indian Wrestling Silver medals won in Astana provide a positive moment for the country’s wrestling community. The results also give younger athletes examples of wrestlers progressing from junior competitions to the senior international level.

Kajal’s performance showed how quickly a young wrestler can make an impact at a senior championship. Neelam’s run to the final demonstrated the value of experience and consistent work in a demanding sport.

Both athletes will have opportunities to build on their performances in future international competitions. Their results in 2026 have strengthened India’s presence in women’s wrestling and added a new chapter to the country’s World Championships history.