New Delhi, Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal has been virtually unbeatable in the 65kg category over the past year, clinching gold medals in every competition he has entered since the U23 Asian Championship triumph in June 2022.
Kalkal attributes his success to consistency and self-belief, saying he is "a favourite of himself" and doesn't idolise any particular wrestler.
He admires veterans like Yogeshwar Dutt, Bajrang Punia, and Amit Dhankar for their qualities and focuses on analysing his own bouts to improve.
Despite his dominance, Kalkal refuses to claim absolute control over the 65kg weight category, saying "there is nothing like no one can shake me" and that everyone works hard.
The 23-year-old has beaten top competitors from traditional powerhouses like Iran and Japan and is looking forward to the Asian Games, which he believes will be a true test of where he stands.
Kalkal is known for his strong defensive skills and sharp counter-attacks, but he admits that his focus now is on improving his offensive game, endurance, and power.
He trains under coaches like India freestyle head coach Vinod Kumar and trains across weight categories to sharpen his skills.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Kalkal says both the Asian Games and the World Championships hold equal importance and that he will give his 100% to win gold at both events.
