In a stunning display of skill and determination, 21-year-old wrestler Aman Sehrawat secured his place in history as he became India’s seventh Olympic medalist in wrestling and won the bronze medal in the men’s 57kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In the match held on Friday, Sehrawat won over Darian Toi Cruz of Puerto Rico by a score of 13-5.
Sehrawat’s win adds to an impressive legacy of Indian Olympic wrestling that includes notable achievements by KD Jadhav (bronze in 1952), Sushil Kumar (bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012), Yogeshwar Dutt (bronze in 2012), Sakshi Malik (bronze ) in 2016, Bajrang Punia (Bronze in 2020) and Ravi Dahiya (Silver in 2020).
After his victory, a heartfelt Sehrawat dedicated his medal to his late parents, whom he lost when he was just 11 years old. “My parents always wanted me to be a wrestler. They didn’t know anything about the Olympics, but they wanted me to be a wrestler. I dedicate this medal to my parents and the nation,” he said, reflecting on the immense personal journey that led to this moment.
Aman Sehrawat, now the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal, has had a remarkable trajectory in wrestling. Before the bronze medal match, he showed his dominance in the previous rounds, beating North Macedonia’s Vladimir Egorov 10-0 in the round of 16 and defeating Albania’s Zelimkhan Abakanov 12-0 in the quarter-finals. His exceptional performance at the national level, including a crucial victory over Ravi Kumar Dahiya during the Olympic qualifiers, secured him a place in Paris.
In the bronze medal match, Sehrawat’s tactical prowess shone through as he quickly recovered from an early point handed to Cruz. After a very even first half, Sehrawat took control in the second half and took advantage of Cruz’s momentary discomfort to increase his lead and eventually finish with an impressive score.
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Born on July 16, 2003 in Jhajjar, Haryana, Sehrawat’s journey is a testament to resilience. After losing both his parents, he found solace and purpose in wrestling under coach Lalit Kumar. His dedication has resulted in significant achievements since 2021, including a national title, a bronze medal at the Asian Games and a gold at the 2023 Asian Games.
Aman’s story of overcoming adversity resonates deeply and reflects not only his physical strength but also his unwavering mental strength. With this medal, he continues to inspire the nation and reinforce the idea that perseverance and determination can lead to greatness, even in the face of personal challenges.
