Asian Games 2026: Sujeet Kalkal, Kumkum Mohod named first winners of Raja Randhir Singh, Jaspal Rana awards

Sujeet Kalkal won gold in the men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling category while Kumkum Mohod bagged three medals (two golds and one silver) in women’s recurve archery. | Photo Credit: PTI & REUTERS

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced that Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal and archer Kumkum Mohod will be the first recipients of the Raja Randhir Singh and Jaspal Rana Awards, respectively, for their medal-winning performances at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya.

The awards were established to honour the best male and female sportspersons at the Asiad, and to also honour the legacy of Randhir and Rana, who died earlier this year.

Kumkum won three medals in her Asian Games debut, including two golds in women’s recurve archery, ending South Korea’s dominance in the event. She joined forces with Ankita Bhakat and Kirti to win gold in the women’s team event and followed it up with an individual gold, with the latter achievement securing her a spot in the 2028 Olympics.

ALSO READ | How Kumkum Mohod became India’s first Asian Games women’s recurve champion

Kalkal, meanwhile, bagged gold in the men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling category.

Referring to Kumkum, IOA president PT Usha said, “It is fitting that Kumkum is the first recipient of the Jaspal Rana Award, as Jaspal too burst onto the scene as a prodigy at the 1994 Asian Games. Her composure under pressure and her ability to find her best form when her back was to the wall augur extremely well for Indian Archery.”

“India’s archers have been knocking on the door for more than a decade now, and I firmly believe that this performance by Kumkum and her recurve teammates has shattered the glass ceiling for Indian archery,” she added.

Speaking about Kalkal, she noted, “Wrestling is India’s sport, and Sujeet’s performance will be spoken of for years to come. The gold medal will be celebrated, but his never-say-die attitude and refusal to accept silver have earned him a special place in the hearts of all Indians.”

The IOA is set to felicitate Kumkum and Kalkal at a ceremony in the coming days. India finished fourth in the medal standings with 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals.