At 18, Kajal Dhochak Wins World Medal, Wrestles Her Way Into the Spotlight

At 18, Kajal Dhochak Wins World Silver, Sets Sights on Olympic Glory

Indian wrestling’s rising star Kajal Dhochak has already made a remarkable impact on the international stage at just 18. With consecutive U20 world titles and a silver medal at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships, the young wrestler is emerging as one of India’s most promising talents, driven by an ambition her coaches compare to Sachin Tendulkar’s hunger for success.

Virender Dahiya, chief coach of the Indian women’s wrestling team, believes Kajal’s determination to improve sets her apart. Speaking to IndiaToday.in from Astana, Kazakhstan, Dahiya drew a comparison with the legendary Indian cricketer, emphasising that the similarity lies not in their achievements but in their desire to keep getting better.

“Sachin Tendulkar made his international debut for India at the age of 16. Why? Because of his hunger. Kajal has that same kind of hunger to keep improving,” he said.

Kajal made history at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships on Wednesday by becoming India’s first heavyweight medallist at the tournament. Competing in the women’s 76kg category, she secured silver in her senior World Championships debut, announcing her arrival among the world’s elite wrestlers.

Although she narrowly missed out on gold, her performance underlined her potential to compete at the highest level. Her next major ambition is already clear: the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Olympic dreams fuel Kajal’s ambition

The Olympic rings feature prominently in Kajal’s WhatsApp profile picture, reflecting the goal that motivates her every day. With the 2028 Games approaching, her training is increasingly focused on preparing for the biggest stage in international sport.

Ajay Malik, her coach at the Kuldeep Malik Academy in Sonipat, Haryana, says the Olympics remain at the forefront of her mind.

“Right now, the target is the Olympics,” Malik said. “That is what she focuses on, even during training. She keeps reminding herself that she needs to train harder to achieve that goal.”

Kajal’s ambition is backed by an impressive record. Before turning 19, she had already won three world titles across the junior age groups, establishing herself as a standout performer in Indian women’s wrestling.

Her rapid progress has also raised expectations. Dahiya acknowledged that the Indian coaching camp had hoped she would win gold in her first senior World Championships, given her success at the U20 level.

“Considering what she had already achieved at the U20 World Championships and now at the senior level, we had hoped she would win gold. So, it was a little disappointing, but these things happen in wrestling,” he said, adding that the coaching team would continue working to improve her performance.

From village training to the world stage

Kajal’s journey began in her village in Haryana’s Sonipat district. Her introduction to wrestling came through her elder brother, who trained under her uncle, Krishan Dhochak, a former international wrestler.

Kajal wanted to join her brother at practice and repeatedly expressed her desire to participate. Her persistence eventually convinced her uncle to help her pursue wrestling seriously.

She continued training under Krishan before joining the Kuldeep Malik Academy at the age of 14. By then, she had already spent several years developing her skills and learning the fundamentals of the sport.

Her progress through the junior ranks was rapid. Kajal won the U17 world championship in 2024 and followed it with consecutive U20 world titles in 2025 and 2026. She moved into the 76kg category at the U15 level and continued competing in the heavier division as she advanced through the age groups.

Her silver medal at the senior Worlds has now added another milestone to that journey.

A remarkable comeback in the semifinals
Kajal demonstrated her fighting spirit in the semifinal against Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy. Trailing 1-7, she staged an impressive comeback to secure a 10-7 victory and book her place in the final.The final against Ukraine’s Anastasiya Alpyeyeva proved much closer. Kajal lost 8-6, settling for silver in her first appearance at the senior World Championships.

The semifinal comeback highlighted her confidence and refusal to give up, qualities that her coaches consider among her greatest strengths.

“Her confidence is her biggest strength. Whether she is facing a world champion or a beginner, she wrestles everyone without fear. She is absolutely fearless,” Malik said.

Kajal’s wrestling is built around aggressive attacks, constant forward pressure and an instinct to seize the initiative. Her ability to react quickly during scrambles and make decisions under pressure has also impressed the coaching staff.

However, her attacking approach needs to be balanced with greater tactical discipline as she faces more experienced opponents at the senior level.

“Kajal’s biggest strength is her aggression. She is the most aggressive wrestler I have seen. However, she can sometimes be overly aggressive, and that can become a weakness. We need to work on that aspect of her game,” Dahiya said.

Her standing defence is another area that requires improvement. Refining these aspects of her technique could help her turn close contests into victories and strengthen her prospects of winning a senior world title.

Despite these areas for development, Dahiya believes Kajal’s achievements at such a young age are exceptional.

“What Kajal has achieved by the age of 18 is something very few wrestlers manage even after 15 to 20 years of training. That says a lot about the kind of wrestler she is and her potential for the future. We have very high hopes for her,” he said.

A disciplined athlete with a grounded personality
Away from competition, Kajal remains closely connected to her family and the routine that supports her sporting ambitions. Her father works as a driver in Sonipat, while her mother is a homemaker who plays an important role in managing her daughter’s career.

Her mother frequently accompanies her during training and competitions and remains involved in her day-to-day preparation. She has even tried wrestling herself.

At the academy, Malik describes Kajal as disciplined, approachable and willing to learn despite her growing list of achievements.

“She has never shown any attitude about being a world champion. She behaves like a normal child. We scold her when she makes mistakes, and she accepts it. She asks questions without any hesitation and always takes feedback positively. She is very disciplined,” he said.

Kajal also maintains interests outside wrestling and enjoys her time away from the mat. She has recently begun the first year of a Bachelor of Arts course, balancing her college education with the demands of elite-level training.

Her mother helps manage her diet, which largely consists of home-cooked food. Kajal follows a structured training schedule, attends practice sessions regularly and adjusts to varying workloads throughout the week. Sundays are reserved for rest, while the remaining days are organised around training and preparation.

The pursuit of gold continues
Kajal’s first senior World Championships ended without the gold medal she had hoped to bring home. However, her silver medal has established her credentials at the senior level while highlighting the technical improvements needed to compete consistently for the biggest honours.

Her coaches now face the task of strengthening her defence and tactical awareness without compromising the attacking instincts that have driven her success.

Malik recalled that Kajal had made her ambition clear even before leaving for the championships.

“She told me straight away, ‘Sir, I have to bring the belt. I have to bring the belt home.’ That is the kind of determination she has. For me, she is already a world champion,” he said.

The title eluded her this time, but her achievements have provided a strong foundation for the years ahead. At 18, she has already won multiple junior world titles and a senior World Championships silver medal, placing her among the young wrestlers to watch in Indian sport.

With Los Angeles 2028 firmly in her sights, Kajal’s next challenge will be to convert her remarkable junior success into sustained senior-level dominance. The Olympic dream remains distant, but her determination to improve, combined with the guidance of her coaches and the support of her family, will shape the journey ahead.

For now, the silver medal is both a milestone and a motivation. Kajal Dhochak has announced herself on the world stage. The gold she seeks remains her next target.