Kajal Dhochak was around seven or eight when she first started training in wrestling. Even then, she had a picture of what success would look like. She wanted to stand on a podium, see the Indian flag rise and hear the national anthem play.
That dream has stayed with her. At 18, Kajal is already a two-time under-20 world champion and a senior World Championships silver medallist. She came within seconds of becoming India's first woman senior world champion before losing 6-8 to three-time European champion Anastasiya Alpyeyeva in the women's 76kg final.
For Kajal, though, one defeat will not change the target. She has already started looking ahead, saying she is still young and will collect many titles when she reaches the age of her much more senior rivals.
A childhood shaped by wrestling
Wrestling was familiar territory in Kajal's family. Her uncle competed in the sport, as did her brother. Watching them train and compete gave her an early connection with wrestling, and she wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt were among the other wrestlers who inspired her. By the time she reached the under-15 cadet level, Kajal was already thinking beyond age-group competitions, setting her sights on the senior World Championships and Olympic medals.
The 72-76kg category was where she always saw herself competing. Away from the mat, too, her priorities were clear. She had little interest in going out or travelling, and her life revolved around training and home, with the bigger goal always in view.
The price of dreams
Coach Virender Dahiya said the sacrifices made by young wrestlers often begin long before they reach the senior level. Some have spent eight to 10 years training, giving up many of the things children their age take for granted.
Food is closely monitored. The girls are told to avoid outside food and bring meals from home. There are other restrictions too, with television, movies and outings often taking a back seat, and the athletes having to develop self-restraint and put in years of hard work and physical exertion.
Kajal's journey reflects that commitment. The childhood dream has required years of consistency, and the silver medal at the senior World Championships is another reward for that effort.
Seconds away, and the lesson for next time
At the World Championships, Kajal showed her fighting spirit on the way to the final. In the semi-final, she recovered from a 1-7 deficit to beat Kyrgyzstan's Aiperi Medet Kyzy 10-7.
The final proved a much tighter contest. Kajal was level at 4-4 and ahead on criteria before Alpyeyeva managed a takedown with 20 seconds remaining, going on to win 8-6. Kajal said she felt no pressure at all, and simply tried to give her 100 percent as her coaches told her to fight.
But the final did leave her with something to work on. With Olympic qualification coming into focus next year, Kajal believes she needs to be more aggressive in the closing stages rather than retreating into a defensive approach, and realised she should have focused on attacking in the last few seconds.
