Katikati freestyle wrestler Suraj Singh has earned international acclaim after winning a gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian & Invitation Wrestling Championship in Singapore on May 11.

But the 26-year-old, who took out the Under-61kg freestyle division of the championship, knows he’s got a lot of work to do yet to make his dream come true – representing New Zealand at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“That’s the ultimate goal,” said the Katikati kiwifruit grower, who was invited last-minute to the Singapore-based competition and grasped the opportunity.

He paid about $3000 to get there, travelling with his family, and was guided by NZ national coach Moshen Lack.

Katikati’s Suraj Singh said he’s addicted to freestyle wrestling. Photo / Merle Cave

Singh said he’d usually know three months ahead of an international competition, but he got an email for this on April 16.

“Two-three months gives you enough time to put camp together and train. But once I got the email [for Singapore], I started training full-time for it.”

Training involved morning one-on-one mat sessions “drilling and refining your technique”, a gym session during the day and a “normal training” afternoon session.

His last-minute efforts produced gold after four matches – two against Singaporeans, one against a Malaysian and another against a Cambodian.

Singh said competitors win matches either by getting to 10 points ahead of their opponent – which is a technical fall, called being “tech’d” in wrestling slang; by gaining the most points from two rounds; or by a pin.

“A pin is getting both of your opponent’s shoulders down and the ref calling it,” said Singh.

“I tech’d my first opponent from Malaysia, the two Singaporeans – I pinned them both, then the last match against the Cambodian I won by points [across two rounds]. I was three points off a tech for this one.”

Singh said the Cambodian competitor, “who gave me a little bit of trouble”, came second and grabbed silver.

Suraj Singh, in blue, pins one of his Singaporean competitors at the 2025 Southeast Asian & Invitation Wrestling Championship. Photo / Supplied

Wrestling at the Katikati Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Club for more than a decade, Singh admits he is addicted to the sport.

“I started when I was 12, at the Katikati club. I‘ve tried to stay away from it but I can’t – I’ve just got to keep in the game. I just love the sport.”

And he wants to go as far as he can competitively – this means Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Trialling for the Olympics will take place in 2027, Singh said.

“To qualify for the Olympics a competitor first has to become national champion in their division, then head to Oceanias to verse competitors from all the [Pacific] islands, then head to Africa and place in the top two.”

Singh won two gold medals at the 2019 Oceania Championships and represented New Zealand at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and won bronze in the 57kg division. In addition, he nearly made NZ’s wrestling team for the last Olympics.

Suraj Singh atop of the podium for the Under-61kg freestyle division medal presentation in Singapore. Photo / Supplied

“I went to the last Olympic trials [for 2024’s Paris Olympics] and I just missed out by one match. I won two matches but lost the third that would have seen me qualify for Paris.

“So what I’ve taken from that is realising that I need more training but I also need more international exposure.”

Katikati Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Club spokesman Ross Tanner said Singh competed in the fiercely contested freestyle category for the Under-61kg division in Singapore by showcasing his outstanding skill, determination and control on the mat, defeating top wrestlers from across the region.

“The event drew elite competitors from across Southeast Asia, but Singh’s technical superiority and relentless drive carried him through to the final, where he clinched the gold and stood proudly atop the podium.”

Tanner said Singh’s success not only highlights his individual talent but also reflects the strength of New Zealand’s wrestling on the international stage: “Singh’s gold medal marks a proud moment for Katikati and sets the tone for more promising results ahead as he eyes future international competitions.”