Showing superb consistency through age groups, Kajal, a World under-17 champion in 69kg last year and a silver medallist in 73kg last month, defeated China’s Yuqi Liu 8-6 in a hard-fought summit clash to emerge as the 72kg champion at the World under-20 wrestling championships in Samokov, Bulgaria.
Hailing from a wrestling family of Lath village in Sonipat district of Haryana, 17-year-old Kajal – who took to wrestling after getting inspired by her uncle and former international wrestler Krishan Donchak – relied on her strong defence to thwart a late fightback from Yuqi in the last minute to add another gold to her Asian under-20 crown in 76kg in July.
Switching weights between 76kg and 72kg, Kajal has bagged two gold and two silver medals in Asian and World level competitions within two months.
Shruti (50kg) and Saarika (53kg) claimed bronze medals as the Indian women’s team finished second, with two gold, three silver and two bronze, behind Japan, which won five gold and two bronze.
Published – August 24, 2025 04:25 am IST
