In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris Olympics, Aman Sehrawat delivered a powerhouse performance to clinch a bronze medal in the men’s 57 kg freestyle wrestling category. His emphatic 13-5 victory over Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz not only lifted the spirits of the Indian contingent but also erased the shadows cast by Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification and missed medal.
Sehrawat’s remarkable win comes as a beacon of hope in what has been a challenging campaign for Indian wrestlers. At just 21 years old, Sehrawat has made history as the youngest-ever individual Olympic medallist from India, surpassing PV Sindhu’s previous record. Sindhu was 21 years, 1 month, and 14 days old when she won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
With this triumph, Sehrawat has ensured that India does not return empty-handed from the Olympics for the first time since 2008. His bronze medal on Friday marks India’s sixth medal at the Paris Games, adding to the country’s tally of one silver and five bronze medals.
Sehrawat, the sole male wrestler representing India this year, displayed resilience and skill throughout the competition. After initially falling behind due to a stepping-out penalty, he rebounded with a 6-3 lead at the end of the first round. In the second round, he dominated, maintaining his lead and finishing the bout with a decisive 13-5 score.
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This bronze medal also places Sehrawat among the distinguished Indian wrestlers who have achieved Olympic success. He joins the ranks of K.D. Jadhav (bronze 1952), Sushil Kumar (bronze 2008, silver 2012), Yogeshwar Dutt (bronze 2012), Sakshi Malik (bronze 2016), Ravi Dahiya (silver 2020), and Bajrang Punia (bronze 2020).
Legacy Of Wrestlers
Sehrawat’s achievement adds to the legacy of wrestlers from the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, a major hub of wrestling in India, which has now produced six Olympic medals.
Sehrawat’s journey in the competition was marked by initial dominance with two consecutive technical superiority wins. However, he faced a setback in the semifinals, losing 0-10 to Japanese top-seed Rei Higuchi. Despite this, Sehrawat’s return to form in the bronze medal bout was a testament to his skill and determination.
Among the other Indian wrestlers, Reetika Hooda is the lone competitor yet to take the mat in the women’s 76 kg division. Nisha Dahiya was eliminated in the women’s 68 kg quarterfinals, while Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification after failing the weigh-in on Wednesday was a significant blow. Anshu Malik and Antim also faced early exits, with Malik losing to the USA’s Helen Maroulis in the round of 16 and Antim falling in her opening bout.
As the Olympics continue, Sehrawat’s performance stands out as a highlight for Indian wrestling, rekindling hope and pride in the sport.
