In a momentous achievement for Indian wrestling, Aman Sehrawat secured a bronze medal in the men’s 57kg freestyle event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This victory marks India’s first wrestling medal of the Games and the sixth Olympic wrestling medal for the nation overall.
The 21-year-old Sehrawat delivered an exceptional performance on 9th August, overcoming Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz with a decisive 13-5 victory. This victory not only earned him the bronze but also highlighted his persistence and skill on the mat.
Sehrawat’s journey to the podium began with a series of impressive wins. He showcased his dominance by winning his round of 16 and quarterfinal matches by superiority. However, his path to the gold was interrupted by a loss to top-seed Rei Higuchi of Japan in the semi-final, which placed him in the bronze medal match.
In a closely contested bout against Toi Cruz, Sehrawat initially trailed after a challenging start, with Toi Cruz gaining the first point. Despite this, Sehrawat quickly turned the tables by executing a strategic move to lock his opponent’s leg and flip him, earning two points. The match saw both wrestlers exchanging points with rapid and skilled maneuvers, and Sehrawat led 4-3 at the thirty-second break.
The second half saw Sehrawat come out strong, gaining a three-point lead early on. An injury to Toi Cruz, who required medical attention, seemed to affect his performance. Sehrawat capitalized on this, extending his lead with additional technical points to secure a commanding 13-5 victory.
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With this win, Sehrawat joins an elite group of Indian wrestlers who have clinched Olympic medals. He follows in the footsteps of KD Jadhav (bronze in 1952), Sushil Kumar (bronze in Beijing 2008 and silver in London 2012), Yogeshwar Dutt (bronze in London 2012), Ravi Dahiya (silver in Tokyo 2020), and Bajrang Punia (bronze in Tokyo 2020). Notably, Sehrawat was the only male wrestler representing India at the Paris Olympics, adding to the significance of his achievement.
The wrestling community and Indian sports enthusiasts have celebrated Sehrawat’s success. Former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami praised him on social media, stating, “Congratulations, Aman Sehrawat, on securing India’s 6th medal in Wrestling Men’s Freestyle 57kg at the Paris Olympics 2024. India is proud of you, champ!”
Similarly, former Indian cricket captain Mithali Raj praised Sehrawat’s dedication, expressing, “Winning a medal at the Olympics at just 21 is no small feat. Hats off to you, Aman Sehrawat, for securing our first wrestling medal at Paris 2024. This is just the beginning of your remarkable journey!”
Aman Sehrawat’s achievement not only brings pride to India but also sets a new benchmark for future wrestlers, demonstrating the potential of young athletes on the global stage.