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Asian Games Champion Sujeet Kalkal Targets Olympic Gold
Sujeet Kalkal is a wrestler who won gold at the Asian Games.
He competed in the 65kg freestyle event.
He says he wants to get better at wrestling from ground positions.
His coaches have asked him to improve both his attacks and defence there.
His coach also encouraged him to attack more during matches.
Kalkal missed the Paris Olympics after India did not get a place in his category.
He says he is looking ahead rather than dwelling on that setback.
His next big goal is to win gold at the 2028 Olympics.
Sujeet Kalkal won men’s 65kg freestyle gold on his Asian Games debut.
He says he is working to improve attacks and defence from ground positions.
National freestyle coach Emzarios “Shako” Bentinidis encouraged Kalkal to wrestle more aggressively.
Kalkal missed the Paris Olympics after India did not secure a quota in his category; he said floods prevented him from reaching a qualification event.
He is now focused on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and says he is aiming for gold.
- Who
- Sujeet Kalkal, a 23-year-old Indian wrestler.
- What
- He is improving his ground attacks and defence while targeting Olympic gold.
- Where
- In a virtual interaction organised by the Sports Authority of India.
- When
- He discussed his plans on Wednesday; the Olympics he is targeting are in 2028.
- Why
- His coaches identified his ground game as an area to strengthen, and he aims to become an Olympic champion.
Key facts
- Asian Games result
- Gold in men’s 65kg freestyle on his debut
- Age
- 23
- Development focus
- Attacking and defending from ground positions
- National freestyle coach
- Emzarios “Shako” Bentinidis
- Paris Olympics
- Kalkal missed the Games after India failed to secure a quota in his category.
- Next target
- The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with gold as his stated goal
- Final comeback
- He said he was down 2-9 in the Asian Games final and kept fighting until the end.
Quotes
Sujeet Kalkal
Indian freestyle wrestler and Asian Games gold medalist
“The Olympics is the dream of every sportsperson. To become an Olympic champion, to keep our country’s flag at the top. So, if we are preparing for the Olympics, then go for gold.”
theprint.in
rediff.com
“What happened in Paris, it was God's will. We can't do anything about it. We will try our best not to focus too much on the past. We will focus on our present and future.”
rediff.com
Sources
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